Backbone, Not Wishbone

So yesterday was Tom's birthday. 

I asked him, "Would you like us to go anyplace today?" But he said, "No, I'd like to just stay home." So we looked at his birthday greetings, together, at Facebook and played with the cats and chatted with Naomi and Tom's mom on the phone. The Chinese food delivery guy came then we ate our meal while watching the first Lord of the Rings movie.

Didn't we do that same exact thing just last month on my birthday?! Yes, ok, we did, we did!  But we began with the second movie and watched part of the third. So, hey. シ

I know. Probably you're shaking your head, thinking, "That Tom and Debra. My, but they are birthday duds! Haven't they ever heard of birthday parties or shopping trips or vacations?"

Well, yes, we have. 

But you know? I find it kind-of amazing that--of all the adventures we could have on our birthdays--we prefer to stay home, together, and watch inspiring movies. I mean, our daily home life must be special if we choose just another simple day here to celebrate our births. 

Besides. Oh, those Lord of the Rings films! How can you not have a whole portion of your brain rewired when you hear words like these?:

Frodo: I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened. 
Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.


Oh wow. I've tried the sit-around-wishing-my-problems-would-go-away thing, but it only leads to a whiny, depressing sort of helplessness. To just yet one more all-night pity party.

But what beats wishing? What will carry us beyond our tears and keep us out of our beds with the covers thrown over our heads? 

Doing what God tells us to do. 

Taking Him with us everywhere we go, fighting that good fight of faith as the strong soldiers we're called to be and sharing what God's shown us, with others (who are probably out there wishing none of their problems had happened).

And letting it all begin in our homes by living the way, together, that pleases God.

In the strength of harmony.



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"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this 
darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore , take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm"  ... From Ephesians 6

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