Category Archives: Love

September 30, 2009 · 6:00 am

My Pre-Blogging Life: Part Two

I continued to read more of my old journal last night.  I read the frustrations of a fifteen and sixteen year old girl wanting to date one Bryan Landreth.  We’ll save that for a completely different post.  I’m just thankful I’m not sixteen any more.  Can I get an amen? 

I read an entry written in 1998 about loss.  About losing my Grandfather five months after he danced at my wedding.  About losing a best friend to a rare disease only one month after my Grandfather’s passing…….

About how we learned so terribly young to not only tell those dear to us we love them….

but why we love them.

I not only drew closer to friends and family during this time of loss.  I grew closer to my Creator.  I wrote in that July 9, 1998 journal entry:

“God has really been stirring in me a greater need for intimacy with Him.”

We already know that when we draw close to Him, He draws close to us.  Or, perhaps, He draws close to us waiting on us to draw close to Him.  Either way, when we do, we learn this:

journal entry july 98 wp

“The greatest revelation one can obtain is the knowledge that God loves them very much.”

Ya know, even eleven years later, I still believe this to be true.

God loves us so, so very much.  He loves us no matter what we do or don’t do.  His love is unchanging.  And, when we really get the revelation of how much He loves us, we can walk knowing we are forgiven.  We are free.  And, we belong to Him.

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September 24, 2009 · 6:00 am

What Does He See?

Every once and awhile, he commandeers my camera.  When I upload my pics, I’m sure to find one like this:

JH - 7yo blog

And this:

JH 7yo blog 2

I don’t dare delete them.  Not even the random pictures of a plant on my end table.  It gives me a peek into what captures his attention.  I’m sure he goes back and observes his photography on my digital camera.  And, I’m sure he sees his self-portraits. 

I wonder what he sees when he sees himself.

Does he notice how beautiful his eyes are?

How his gentle spirit emanates from him every time he smiles?

Does he see God’s grace in his reflection even though he doesn’t know what to call it?

Does he see how he was perfectly and wonderfully made?

Because, that’s what I sure see every time I look at him. 

That’s what I saw seven years ago today when I held him in my arms for the very first time.  He is my sweet reminder of God’s incredible presence in my life in the midst of joy and suffering.  He is my sweet reminder that no matter what season I am forced to endure, God’s grace is always sufficient.

Happy Birthday, John Henry. 

Love, love, love you.

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September 17, 2009 · 6:00 am

That’s Not What I Signed Up For.

Kris - Dusty

That is not a statement you’ll hear me make regarding my marriage.  You won’t hear me say, “I didn’t sign up for my husband to be gone 5 days a month or 20 days a month.”  “I didn’t sign up for my husband to play golf every week.”  “I didn’t sign up to live hundreds of miles from my family.”

I have heard friends tell me they “didn’t sign up” for whatever changes have occurred in their lives.  Whether it’s a spouse’s new job or simply a new routine. 

I signed up to be married Kris Takle.  Not what he does or doesn’t do.

I signed up for him.  Period.

In the meantime, life happens.  Change is usually inevitable.  Tomorrow may look different from today.  We, as partners in love and marriage, have to adjust.

Because, we are a team.

He needs my support just like I need his. 

Loving Kris Takle.  That’s what I signed up for.

My lover is mine, and I am his.  Song of Solomon 2:16

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September 9, 2009 · 6:00 am

Love. It’s A Battlefield.

John Henry stayed home from school yesterday to recuperate from a cold.  Note:  Guitar Hero does wonders for a six year old under the weather.  Or when you’re simply “not on top of the weather” as I’ve heard my husband say.  Pardon him.  He tends to get American clichés a little confused with….with, I don’t know what. 

Anyhoo.

I walked Anna to the library yesterday morning.  It’s her initial destination before walking to her class.  I stopped by John Henry’s class to inform his teacher he would not be in attendance.  On my way out, I heard one, lone, loud voice belting out, “Why does love always feel like a battlefield!  A battlefield!  A battlefield!” 

I don’t think it comes as a surprise to any of you it was Anna.  None of her classmates joined her anthem.  I scurried straight up to her and told her she should pipe down in the school hallways.  Then, I was relieved I corrected her “butterfield” to “battlefield” only a couple of days prior to her hallway debut.

Long before Jordin Sparks started tearing up the airwaves with her recent hit, Pat Benatar proclaimed “love is a battlefield.”  I have single girlfriends who will say “Amen” to that sentiment.  And, knowing some of their experiences, I tend to agree.  But, once you’re married?

Love can still feel like a battlefield.  It’s just a different battle.  It’s not a battle between husband and wife.  It’s a battle to maintain your marriage.  One in two marriages will end in divorce.  So, you unquestionably have to fight to keep the love alive and the commitment strong.  Even in scriptures Paul proclaims if you marry, you’ll have trouble. 

So, to my married readers, I say FIGHT for your marriage. 

Every.

Single.

Day.

So, when you’re old, gray, going to bed by 8, and excited for the new Dancing With the Stars season(or, perhaps, that’s just Big Mama), you’ll turn and look at your spouse and be glad you did.

And, for those of you thinking, “It’s too late for me”:  Never give up. 

Coming from a girl on a second go ‘round.

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July 15, 2009 · 6:00 am

Thank you, Journey. I Couldn’t Have Said It Better Myself.

Kris and I work into our schedule a weekly date night, unless he is flying all week trying to buy momma a new pair of shoes, of course.  We love date nights.  We talk.  I laugh a lot.  He holds my hand.  And, from time to time, I discover something about him I’d never known before.  I like that. 

We don’t’ really use this time to discuss our stuff.  You know, our “issues”.  Those are usually reserved for times after we put the kids to bed in our living room.  We like for date nights to be about enjoying each other and that occasional new discovery.  Not me pointing out to Kris how I need him to do this more or that less, thus, making the date night about me and not each other.  Read me?

I feel like I know Kris pretty well.  Of course, there was this recent moment where I watched the third installment of Pirates of the Caribbean for the one-hundreth and seventy-ninth time.  After the credits rolled, my friend pointed out that Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan had a son.  How did I miss that?  How did Kris miss that?  So, I called Kris to let him in on the little secret, and he said, “I know.” 

How could he not have shared that with me?  It’s like I don’t even know him.

You see?  Always room for discovery.

Kris Takle, I get the joy of rediscovering you.   I’m forever yours, faithfully.

Now, let’s end this blog before the lines get even cornier.

What’s your idea of a perfect date night?

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June 16, 2009 · 6:00 am

Nothing Can Separate Us.

I read this last night before nodding off to sleep.  I’ve read it many times before.  But, this time it just pierced me. 

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?  36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”)  37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35-39

Even when we go through difficult times, His love still surrounds us. 

And, nothing can separate us from that love.  “Neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow….” 

Just thought maybe somebody needed to hear that today.

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May 22, 2009 · 6:00 am

He Said, She Said (Part Two)

I asked Kris if he would like to contribute any material to today’s post, and he informed me that one a week was his limit.  A man’s gotta have his limits. 

We’re talkin’ about what makes marriage a little sweeter – more like what makes it work.  Well.  Here are some things that I do (or don’t do.)

– I make an effort to never say, “You never….”  Nothing good can come from that approach.  When I have an issue, I am usually conscious to never address it as an attack.  ‘Cause sistas, let me tell you.  Your man doesn’t like to be made to feel that he needs to defend himself.  For real.

– I give Kris a few minutes to unwind when he comes home before bombarding him with Anna’s antics household issues.

– I say I’m sorry when I mess up.  And, when I say it, I usually include a “Babe, I was completely wrong.”  Why?  Because, that’s why I like to hear from him.

– I let some things go. 

– I tell him “thank you” often.

– I tell Kris how proud I am of him, and I reassure him of my faith in him.  For example, I might tell him what an awesome pilot he is.  Or I might tell him how I know he can accomplish anything in aviation.  Or, I just might tell him what an incredible dad he is.  Words of affirmation go long way.  A very long way.  I try to affirm him, in some way, every single day.

– I don’t use the “I’ve got a headache” excuse.  Want me to keep it real?  Just do it, m’kay?

I’m sure I could go on.  We have bumps in the road just like every other couple.  There are days that I put Kris on the defensive and have to go back and set it straight…..humbly.  But the days where we get it right?  Oh, life is good.  Really good.

Ladies?  Your thoughts?

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May 21, 2009 · 6:00 am

He Said, She Said (Part One)

I’m no expert on marriage.  I mean.  You know what they say, “You only get married twice.”  Tee-hee.  No tee-hee?  None.The.Less.   Kris and I have found a few things that make our marriage pur-tee nice.  I asked Kris to help me out with this post.  So, below are his little nuggets of wisdom.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you my favorite pilot (and my forever love), Kris Takle.

Kris says:

– Never drink your pregnant wife’s last caffeine free coke.  (*Note: Dusty is not pregnant.)

– Set goals for your marriage – for your family. 

– Whenever you feel yourself getting upset, try to see things from your partner’s perspective.  If that doesn’t work, count to ten.

– Even if you come home tired from work, it is important to still help out around the house.  Take care of your wife and the things that are important to her.

– Listen to your wife, and don’t try to fix her.

– When your wife asks you to pray for her, make sure she can hear you.  Made this mistake once.

– Hug your wife tightly every single day.  When I’m home, I hug Dusty every morning and every afternoon. 

Oh my word, y’all.  My husband cracks me up.  When I asked him if he had anything else to add, this is what he said:  “You know, I want to keep it short and sweet.  In case I get another guest spot.”

I love him.

I’ll share my little nuggets tomorrow. 

Okay, men.  Do you want to add to this list?

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May 15, 2009 · 6:00 am

90 Never Looked So Good.

Sure, the Treaty of Versailles was a big deal, but this was bigger.

90 years ago tomorrow, Bigmama was born.

Bigmama 90

I’m glad she was.  And, I’m also glad for her salmon patties, biscuits and pecan-less pecan pies.  Oh, and for always pouring half of a can of evaporated milk into my coffee.

She has a faith like no other, virtues that have stood the test of time, and the deepest love for her family.

Happy Birthday Bigmama.  You always make me smile.

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May 8, 2009 · 6:00 am

You Cannot Lose My Love

You Cannot Lose My Love
by Sara Groves

You will lose your baby teeth.
At times, you’ll lose your faith in me.
You will lose a lot of things,
But you cannot lose my love.

You may lose your appetite,
Your guiding sense of wrong and right.
You may lose your will to fight,
But you cannot lose my love.

You will lose your confidence.
In times of trial, your common sense.
You may lose your innocence,
But you cannot lose my love.

Many things can be misplaced;
Your very memories be erased.
No matter what the time or space,
You cannot lose my love.
You cannot lose,
You cannot lose,
You cannot lose my love.

md-wp-2

md-wp

John Henry & Anna Marie,

You cannot ever, ever, ever lose my love.

I love you,
Mom

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