Tandem: “a group of two or more arranged one behind the other or used or acting in conjunction”….together
Nearly 10 years ago, I went through a painful, life-shattering divorce. After the divorce, and by the grace of God, I met a man who was also going through the same sort of trauma in his life. Together we attended a Divorce Care group at our church and spent many hours talking about how to navigate kids and finances and just healing from our wreckage that those storms of divorce created. That man that God brought into my life became my husband and together we are working on creating a new life; but one thing that we will never lose is the “together” that life brings. Life is better together. Storms are always easier to go through if you can do it tandem, together. Sometimes life feels like a nice ride on a tandem bicycle and sometimes the adventure is much more like a tandem skydive, but no matter what life throws at us, together is so much better.
23 – Celebration of Life: Psalm 23
Ironically both of us have birthdays on the 23rd of the month. His birthday is January 23 and mine, October 23. One time we went to the foot doctor and they asked for our birthdays. He said his was 01/23/74 and then when I was asked mine, I said 10/23/74. The doctor laughed and said, “Not HIS birthday, what is YOURS?” We have said the 23rd is a good day to celebrate. Also, we have built our life (and a BBQ business!) off of Psalm 23. The Psalm starts out talking about the Lord being a shepherd and how the shepherd takes good care of his sheep. We love having that guide in our lives. Also it goes on to say, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…” There are days in the last few years that I have been in that valley, down in the ravine where storms are ever present and so real. It is so comforting to know that I have a wonderful shepherd right there with me comforting me and holding me when times get tough. Yes, 23 is a celebration of life!
LIFE!
Flowers, French Fries, Coffee and BBQ….those spell Life! That’s what being together is all about! Life may get tough, but doing the things we love together makes life worth living. If you are going through a rough time, or just feeling down, I would encourage you to look for the things in life that you love (yes, french fries are high on my list!) and just spend time with someone you love: a spouse, a friend, a family member enjoying the things you love! That is what life is all about! THAT makes Sam Smile!
