Solomon, Jesus, & Mammoth Caves

Ephesians 5

"2⁵Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶to make her holy, cleansing^"[b] her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰for we are members of his body. ³¹"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."^[c] ³²This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."

I told Aron a few weeks ago that in our zeal & passion to serve Jesus, I felt as if we overlooking our relationship with one another. Not purposefully, but almost as if our love for one another was a given & so our attention focused on more pressing matters: family, ministry, children, work. Duty calls after all.

My husband took this to heart. So what did he do? He began reading the Song of Songs. Yes, the most scandalously beautiful book of the entire Bible. And he was indeed inspired. You see, scripture commands men to love their wives as Christ loves the church (his followers). What does this look like?

* He gave himself up for her, literally giving his very life to rescue us

* He nurtures her

* He pursues her

* He leads her

* He disciplines (corrects) her to keep her from falling into sin

There are probably more ways, but it is late and that's what I can gather off the top of my head. I'd love to hear your ideas.

So with the Love of Christ for his bride & the words of Solomon on his heart, Aron began planning.

On Sunday as I was preparing to leave for a week with the kids & travel with his mom to Southern Ohio, Aron handed me a letter for each day that we were apart.

I am forbidden to disclose the contents of them, but I am quite certain the Spirit moved in Aron as he wrote. Each day, he revisited special moments in our journey, and validated so many wounds and insecurities that I have faced as a young woman.

The words alone were completely overwhelming.

But on Wednesday morning, the letter closed with the statement of how our love for one another refreshes his spirit. And that he wanted me to be refreshed as well. Then followed instructions to show up for a massage at 11:00 am, babysitting already arranged (Thank you, Alyssa!).

Thursday's Letter was the Icing on the Cake. After quoting one of my favorite songs that he has written:

I think we need

Some sweet release

Some time away

Wide Open Space

Or just close your eyes and say you love me

And don't regret one word you say

And as you speak your love surrounds me

And the rest just fades away.

He wrote, "Will you come away with me?"

So away we go. Not far, but far enough.

He is a little excited about the mammoth king sized bed he isn't sharing with Judah for 2 nights.

I am excited to capture the beauty (holding a baby isn't exactly conducive to taking photos).

Our adventure doesn't really begin until tomorrow. But we went exploring a little this evening.

(I know, Mom. No socks & no tennis shoes...I was regretting it!!!)

This cave entrance was great until the bats starting coming out. I strongly considered vetoing our two expeditions already booked for tomorrow at that point.

The wildlife isn't afraid of humans at all.

I have notoriously had a difficult time leaving the young ones. This was no exception (especially since Judah isn't weaned & refuses a bottle...poor Grandma Jackie & Aunt Alyssa...I'm sorry!!!)

Aron surprised me with an early Mother's Day gift so that Belle & Judah could be near to my heart while we were away! So very thoughtful this man is, and how grateful & blessed am I! So undeserving of his affection, and so humbled by his pursuit.

So I share of all of this in hope that you closet man-readers out there might be inspired to find a new way to love & pursue your wives. It doesn't have to be as elaborate or expensive as a getaway. A simple love letter or a whisper of the things that you adore about your wife would do more to awaken your wife's heart than you can know. And as you do, the desire to submit, respect, honor, follow, and support you will overflow from her in ways neither you nor she can imagine.

I dare you.

ejk

PS...These are for you, Isabelle Rose.

We saw a real castle on our trip! Do you think a princess lives here?

And Daddy got chased by a pteridactyle at Dinosaur World. Good thing Daddy was very fast and ran to safety before he was snatched up!

And finally, in honor of all you P90 X'ers out there,

"I'm a pteridactyle, backing out of trouble..."