Over the last couple of years, my husband and I have been delusional about the time we will spend alone without the phone ringing, knocking on the door or someone joining us on our front porch. We have obviously not gotten the hang of leaving the house for time off surrounded by quiet. This Sunday was no exception.
Don't ask me what I was thinking. Somewhere in the one brain cell that I have left, I actually thought this was going to be different than any other day. I was kicked back in my chair as though there was an ottoman to put my feet on. I didn't seem to mind that it was a bistro chair and not a lounge chair.
My husband and I were enjoying a quiet Sunday evening. Being alone with each other is a rarity.
"Do you hear that?" I asked.
"No, I don't hear anything." My husband responded.
"Exactly," I answered with excitement.
Of course I spoke to soon. While we were sitting comfortably, talking and enjoying each other's company, my oldest son came through the house and out the front door with my beautiful grandson. He pulled up another chair and sat down to visit.
I love my children and grandchildren so I never consider it an interruption when they come over unannounced. As a matter of fact, I light up as bright as the sun.
After the usual questions of how are you and, what are you doing tonight, my son gave us some beautiful news. We are going to be grandparents again. With this news I was beaming more than ever. My son then left to meet his wife and my husband and I were alone again.
We decided to go inside and this time we kicked our feet up on the coffee table and cuddled to the movie of Sister Act. Of course we had figured that the rest of our evening would be only a vegetative mode.
Then the phone rang. We both just looked at it and laughed. We knew that it was okay to allow the phone to ring and we could call the person back on Monday. This was another delusion, as twenty seconds later there was a knock on the front door. I found it extremely hard to play as though we were not home, when you can hear the stupid television on the other side of the door. I couldn't hit the mute button quick enough.
So we answered the door to see our caller standing there looking frustrated and hurt. We all sat out on the porch to counsel and pray. During the porch gathering our neighbor walked up, sat down and joined in the conversation. This little gathering lasted only three short hours.
By this time it was past dinner and quickly coming up on bedtime. My husband and I just hugged each other. We both had smiles while we looked at one another with that I know better grin.
That was a typical day for us, like every other day of the week. We are both learning the importance of actually leaving the house for quiet time on a regular basis. We love ministry and it is a wonderful gift, but we can't be any good to others unless we treat ourselves right.
Now, no one has to wonder why we sneak into our bedroom and eat chocolate donuts under the covers while giggling.
