Daddy went a'campin

So this last weekend my husband had a men's retreat for church. It was a difficult time for us here. We had two children who were borderline sick, a mommy who had little sleep, and a messy home. I wanted so badly to clean the house, to do something of some productiveness. And one of the days I truly did. I scrubbed the floors on my hands and knees, I cleaned off all the counters, I did a ton of laundry- the never ending task in our home- and vacuumed and deodorized every room as well as scrubbed the carpets.

The kids were crying for daddy the whole time, they were more crazed than ever and their countenances were desperate. They missed their daddy. I missed their daddy. IT was hard to let him go. Had it been a weekend of fun and debauchery, I would have had a hard time struggling through the weekend. However, since it was for his good as well as the good of the family, I was willing to forebear through the weekend and allow him the chance to bond with other men.

I was right in doing so, when he came back he seemed lightened, uplifted and encouraged. I noticed in him a new found strength in his role as leader of the family. The opportunity for him to go for this weekend of spiritual growth has not only blessed him but every member of our family.

As his wife, I need to make sure that my husband is encouraged in his spiritual walk and continues to grow. This is essential to him in his position. He carries a lot on his shoulders in his role, and needs to be fed constantly in order to not be overwhelmed or feel inadequate. He needs the joy of the Lord to encourage him and strengthen him. I know, well, that he would do the same in encouraging me to go to a spiritual retreat in order that I might be renewed in both spirit and mind. I, however, am selfish and it was a struggle to the core to permit him this weekend. I am so blessed by his growth, however, and have now grown fonder still of him, after the time away and his new strength. I am, though, very excited for the opportunity to do the same.