Circle the Wagons!!!!

res·pite
[ˈrespət, rēˈspīt]
NOUN: 1. a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

Life. Need I say more?

Himself and I have been married for over 32 years now. We take good care of each other. When one of us sees the other having a more difficult time coping with one of life’s arrows shot at us, we call for a mini sabbatical. This time, we BOTH needed a respite from everyday life to regroup.

With the passing of our nephew, we were both just sitting one evening like the life had been drained from us – no wind in our sails at all. Himself said, “This is not good. It’s Spring Break and I will block any refereeing for a few days.” So, on Friday we loaded up the truck and headed south to Texas. We love to visit our neighbor to the south. This time we selected Richardson to stay in and explore.

Allen outlet mall first! And on a Friday! Weeeeee! It was not crowded at all, and we knew it would be on Saturday and Sunday with it being spring break. We have the most unique way of shopping outlet malls that have storefronts outside. We do a loopty-loo around the entire place, locating the shops that we want to go to. Then we drive to them!!! Sometimes there are 4 or 5 near to each other, so that makes it easy. I’ve been going through that Marie Kondo organizing lately, so I didn’t want to get too much. Himself did need a few new work shirts. In my mind I was counting how many we would be joyfully thanking and parting with at home. The one place I love there is Sketcher’s! Their shoes make my back feel like a normal back again. They have that great ‘buy a pair, get a pair half price’, so we both were blessed. One question… Does anyone else just walk inside of Wilson’s Leather… just to smell the amazingly wonderful aroma?? Himself just chuckles at me. But he did see a coat for next fall that we might have to come back for.

Next on to our hotel, Courtyard Suites. We usually really like this chain. The room was great, and how many times do you get the room 101 where you don’t have to trudge down a long hallway!!! God knew we needed a break. We took a nap. On a Friday afternoon. We napped. The Holy Spirit ministered to us both during that nap. It wasn’t long, but it was refreshing, like a cool breeze. When we awoke, it was dinner time and we were hungry. Normally I don’t care where we go. Himself asked me where I wanted to go, probably expecting my normal answer. I piped up rather loudly – – “I want BBQ Ribs!!! And soon!” He looked online and found a great place called Bone Daddy’s House of Smoke. It was awesome. We both wore some of the sauce. Being the Italian one, I was also licking my fingers. Yes, yes, I threw etiquette to the wind!

On Saturday, Himself took me to a fun breakfast place and got me some coffee. I must have looked like I needed it. Our hotel only had a breakfast sammie or pastry – not both mind you, but then we found out that seeing that I secured our room through Booking.com, we didn’t qualify for their lame breakfast anyway. I guess booking through them you pay $14.00+ more for the privilege of one pastry or one sammie. Then we took off for IKEA. I needed the walking. I don’t usually buy much there, but I love to look and walk and dream.

After our retail therapy we headed back to the hotel. We knew we had a mission to complete and we were dragging our heels. We asked for guidance to write out what we will be saying at the celebration of life gathering next week. We wanted to make sure that we took both families into consideration and honor our godson too. Himself will be Officiating/Emceeing, and I had the privilege in writing the obituary and creating the program handout. Why a handout at an informal gathering? Some people need something tangible. Others intrinsically need a keepsake. We also want to reach all of the young adults that will be coming and let them know that there are safe places like Destiny when ‘Life’ kicks your legs out from beneath you. That we both are there if they ever need to talk things out, scream things out, stomp things out. That Jesus is real. He’s there for them. He walked this life and knows its pitfalls. That He is there to dust them off and set them back on their feet again.

Yes, we prayed, we cried, we wrote, we napped, we wrote and cried some more. We even took a break and ate some fabulous Korean food.

God is a good God. He is a fair God. He is a just God. He is a forever God. I am sure we will write and rewrite more this week as well. But now we have the breath of the Holy Spirit refreshing us, helping us and encouraging us on. Then this coming Saturday, we will be ready to minister to those who come. God will heal the brokenhearted. His Word is Truth.

Psalm 34:18  New Living Translation (NLT)
¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
    he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

I also like the Message Translation:
¹⁸ If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;
if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath

Dear Lord, these past few weeks had taken a toll on us. Thank you for the time of refreshing this past weekend. We feel whole again, maybe still a bit brokenhearted, but grief does that. I know where Daniel is without a question of doubt. Thank you for your free gift of salvation. I am forever grateful.

Signed, Christine
A Muse of the Remnant