a strong foundation

Why is it that some of the most elementally important of things seem the hardest to do?

Yesterday I did something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time… I went to a gym and began a serious exercise routine/program with my husband, whose already been at it for an entire week now (I know, wow-right, a whole week so far? Together, we shall sustain this momentum!). Our 14 year old son has gone with him and absolutely loves it too. N’s also been faithfully running every other day or so for the last year and is up to 3-4 miles per run. He and Chris have both inspired me to just DO it- and so I did. Taking the time (for me) to work out last night, and then again this morning to walk a couple of miles (by myself, while the kids were still asleep) has been exhilarating, and set the precedent for a new level of my commitment to health!

As Chris and I made fun of each other amused ourselves over his new role as “bossy knowitall workout coach” to myself and our son, we also talked about the importance of this new endeavor of ours: regular exercise, so as to strengthen our bodies and increase our health. Chris reiterated the importance of what I have been doing for awhile though, which is learning and teaching the rest of the family how to take care of the insides of our body as well, because we all know it doesn’t matter how good you look on the outside if you’re feeding disease and dysfunction on the inside (Whoo- lots of object lessons there- huh?!). I’m the “nutritional coach”, and it’s been a fulfilling challenge learning how to cook and care for myself and my family more healthfully over the years; however as important as that is, it’s only part of the big picture.Without regular exercise, our over all health is still lacking, no matter how good we eat.

As I’m sure is the case with so many people, this exercise aspect of my health, foundational as it is, has sadly been sorely neglected in the hustle and bustle of daily living and caring for everyone else… Meanwhile my good intentions are mostly blurring into valid reasons why I *couldn’t* or just **didn’t*, and as the pressing scenery of the days files right past me on this great road-trip that is my life, they are quickly pushed aside, and eventually… forgotten.

I was able to get away with its virtual neglect in my twenties, without much outward evidence, but now, being on the other side of 35 (and when did that happen again?!)… let’s just say that besides my really wanting to be healthy and boosting my life’s longevity for the sake of my family and Kingdom-work, my own body’s aging changing has also been providing much needed inspiration and determination to make a change lately!

Through regular strength-training and cardiovascular/aerobic workouts we’ll be working towards improving so many important aspects of our physical health, which when you think about it is really so very fundamental to our existence here on this earth… we only get one “body/earth suit”, without which we have no place/ability to exist this side of eternity, and how well we take care of it (or not?) drastically effects every other aspect of our lives and effectiveness of our lives’ work. Right?

All of these musings came full-circle for me this morning, as I considered what a wonderful time I had being with my husband last night, just “hanging working out” together (yeah, we haven’t gotten *away* for enough *dates* lately), and how much more motivation and energy I had this morning to do other necessary things. As goes my mind, I began relating the nuances of our physical health and ramifications thereof to the this same principle of nature as it correlates with that of our family and homeschool life… of which relationship is foundational, especially that of husband and wife.

I think we’d all agree that having a strong marriage is foundational to our having a secure family and ultimately to furthering every other aspect of our existence in this world- be it positive or negative- in others’ lives and especially in that of our children. I’ve learned over the years though, that this goal oft-times seems elusive and even once (if) apprehended, sustaining it takes a LOT of commitment and decided work towards that end…

Our marriage is also an aspect of our life that we LIVE with to such an extent, like our own bodies, that as with our bodies, the necessary attention and effort needed to maintain the health of a marriage is also easily overlooked in the hustle and bustle of daily living… Simply, we take it for granted, until one day we look in the mirror and wonder how we got here?!

As with body-maintenance, marriage-maintenance takes REGULAR, daily work! I don’t think that the Lord intended for it to be something we get all done and accomplished once and for all, or once we do arrive at a place of overall health and ultimate functionality, we must certainly continue in doing that which got us there, lest we lose it all over again! As we strive to strengthen our marriages, we are building a strong foundation for our home(school), based upon the ultimate foundation that is our very LIFE, the Truth of HIS Word. And the results will be a lasting testament to His Faithfulness, strength and fortitude of character found in the very hearts and minds of our children, and hopefully even our children’s children, centuries later… still STANDING.

I will not even attempt to give you a checklist of things TO DO, in an effort to improve the health of your own marriage, for besides the (obvious!) fact that I am no expert, every marriage is unique to its players. What your husband needs from his wife is different from what my husband needs and desires from me, and so on (talking specifics here, not the obvious: unconditional love and sincere respect, etc.).

Lately my heart has been so heavy for some struggling and recently broken marriages… how fragile our hearts are, and is there anything more devastating to one than the death of that which we have wrapped up our heart and stored our dreams within? Believe me when I tell you that Chris and I have had (and do even still have) our share of marital challenges, and yet my heart is also full of thanksgiving for the miracle of LIFE that Adonai has worked in our marriage these last 15+ years, and what a blessed sanctuary is this place of peace between us now,  that only comes from a history of mutual disappointments shared, trials conquered, trust earned, loving acceptance and respect witnessed.

May our marriages be a safe and hallowed resting place to which we can quickly return from those spontaneous spats, inevitable disagreements and life’s oft-stress-induced emotional explosions.

I would however like to share a few quick nuggets, praying that they would serve to edify your own resolve to strengthen that most foundational element of your homeschool, your relational life with your spouse, which trickles right down to your kids in the most profound and often-times frighteningly evident manner.

Regarding how our relationships and the atmosphere, or spirit, within our homes which they do kindle effects our kids, this quote about sums it up for me,

The spirit of the house is in the members of the children by nature, not by teaching, not by any attempt to communicate the same, but because it is the air the children breathe…. Understand that it is the family spirit, the organic life of the house, the silent power of a domestic godliness, working as it does, unconsciously and with sovereign effect — this it is which forms your children to God.
~Horace Bushnell, Christian Nurture, 1861.

Intimate Issues: The Making of a Marriage Bed by Ann Voskamp of Holy Experience {Beautiful TRUTH! Just READ it, TRUST ME, you’ll be glad you did! I even had my husband read this one, and he totally appreciated it too.)

The Marriage Bed LOVE. love. LOVE. this. poem.

Me and my Prince… a meditation of mine from five years ago, but still did me good to re-read it. The prayer at the end shall ever be the cry of my heart.

LORD, Help us to be vigilant, to seek you in prayer, to DO the work necessary to maintain the health of our marriages, the very foundation of not only our homeschools, but of our life’s entire being and ministry unto you.

Love never fails.

~ 1 Corinthians 13.8

I am determined to do whatever it takes to finish well, working towards both my own physical health, as well as fortifying the health of my marriage, that our family, our homeschool would have a strong foundation.

Embracing the adventure,

Tagged as: Encouragement, family, health, inspiration, Marriage, physical education