CandlelightDinner

Marriage Challenge – Day 7 – Light a Candle at Dinner

The other night Nathaniel decided to stay home alone for a couple of hours while I was out with the other three kids. Little did he know, that he’d spend part of his evening doing nothing but sitting on the couch, alone, in the dark.

Little did we know that there would be a power failure that night. Not so fun when you’re alone.

Power failures have been known to cause serious damage, I won’t make light of that fact, but I also know that I’m a big fan of those harmless blips that last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour. Last year we experienced a lengthy one that brought the family together for an hour or so.

Anytime the power goes off, the atmosphere changes. We gather, we light candles, we talk, we laugh, and we enjoy each other’s company. Regardless of what we have going on. I’ve been tempted at times to flip the switch without anyone knowing, because I know that each and every time we power down we’re brought closer together.

Even in the early 70’s, before computers, iPods, and iPhones, we had distractions: record players, books, toys, television, TV… Somehow eight people living under one roof found a way to live separate lives–that is, until the lights went out. That’s when mom would get out her matches to light kerosene lanterns and dad would go fishing for flashlights. Those are the nights I remember so fondly.

And evenings around the campfire. 

I love the snapping sound of crackling wood and the smell of burning logs on a fire. That’s long been one of my favourite things to do. I could sit there all night enjoying the peace and serenity of the snap, crackling sound.

What would camping be without it? That’s the highlight of every camping trip I’ve had. It’s never early enough for me, and it always ends too soon.

And candlelight dinners. 

They’re more than romantic. They’re calming. Somehow they make everything taste better. I remember a winter when we had candlelight dinners almost every night. And then Spring came and the days got longer and brighter, and we forgot how exciting they were.

And gazing at stars. 

We don’t see them as well as we’d like to since we live in the city, so we’ll often drive out to the country in the summertime just to go star gazing. I’ve watched falling stars, and I’ve seen the beauty of the Northern Lights in full form dancing across the sky. It was a breathtaking moment orchestrated by the hands of our God, the Master Creator. It doesn’t matter how busy you are–if the Northern lights come out, you stop and stare for a while.

And twinkly lights on Christmas trees.

Who can’t resist those? There’s something about light shining in darkness that warms my soul. I’m not surprised to see the beauty in it. And I can’t help but to be reminded of our Saviour who said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” – John 8:12

Light is a powerful force. You can be in a room completely surrounded by darkness, but the flickering of one single flame is captivating.

I want to encourage you to capture the atmosphere in your home today. If you have a fireplace, dim the lights and light a fire. And if you have candles, light one at dinner time. Try to spend part of your evening in quiet solitude with your husband away from electronics and the buzz of every day life. Enjoy the serenity that comes with powering down, and igniting a little fire between you.

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene Schacht
The Time-Warp Wife

 

Visit Women Living Well Today for the Messy Beautiful Love book Club

Mandy is over at Women Living Well today for the Messy Beautiful Love book club. She writes,

“I will never forget the night I sat down to write my vows. It was two weeks before my wedding, and the last day my husband Scott and I would ever be apart. We lived in two different states, and the next day, I would be moving the last of my “big” things. Then, with his whole family in tow, we would head back to Florida for our wedding week activities.

I sat before the computer, thinking about the words I would vow to him. I knew I would be able to do no promise justice without the help of the Lord, so I decided the best thing I could vow were the very Words of God.

I committed two big things to him that day –to be his help meet and to give myself to him completely, as we united in intimacy.”

Read the rest of the article: click here

 

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