Kitchen Dance Party
Photo Credit
I opened the card and picked up my pen to scribble a congratulatory sentiment to the bride-to-be.
In the days ahead, there will be champagne toasts and presents. Each hour will joyfully brim over with planning and anticipation.
Sigh.
If only we could perpetually stay in the honeymoon phase with no bills to pay or pesky relatives to tame. If only our heart could race continually, rather than getting heartburn when the dinner conversation starts tasting lukewarm and monotonous.
How do you create a good marriage? I did a quick Google search and found some inspiration. Rather than plagiarize completely, I tweaked the wording and crafted a concoction uniquely my own. I scrawled a list of essential ingredients on the $2 Hallmark card, and then I paused to reflect.
Not good enough.
I decided to invite in a co-creator. “What makes a marriage good?” I asked my man as I held my pen mid-air in anticipation.
“Humility,” he responded.
That’s it. I added a final component and then sealed the card.
But, last night, the Creator of all things beautiful reminded me of a conversation I had with a co-worker just seven years ago.
“Make sure you dance in the kitchen,” she’d advised. At the time, I didn’t really understand her wisdom.
My mom-in-love knew better. At my wedding, I watched as my hubby swayed her back and forth as Lee Ann Womack sang “I Hope You Dance.”
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
Some days, I forget how to move with the music. The melody sounds dark and foreboding in my ears. I’d rather just stay in bed and have a good cry instead.
But, I must remember that I am alive by God’s grace today. My man is still beside me, and our toes are still tapping. That’s reason enough for a kitchen dance party.
As I get moving, I will find the right rhythm with my Jesus and my man on the floor.
Just call me Twinkle Toes. This girl is going to keep her dancing shoes on…
Recipe for a Happy Marriage
- 4 cups of Unconditional Love
- 3 cups of Respect and Understanding
- 3 cups of Authentic and Truthful Conversation
- 4 teaspoons of Laughter and Fun
- A pinch of Thoughtfulness and Tenderness
- A heap of PRAYER
- Season with Kitchen Dance Party spice
- Add Forgiveness, Patience, and an extra measure of Faith
- Sprinkle Unselfish Humility on top as needed
Blend all the ingredients together. Simmer until hot. Garnish with hugs and kisses. Don’t scrimp on the portions when serving.
Something to think about…
I love your recipe!
Great stuff here, Lyli! Important truth about marriage and life. Thanks.
I’m a pinch short on a few ingredients! LOL! Great list! I love how you said simmer until hot. Blessings, liz
Yes, still with my favorite dance partner – it will be 26 years next month! Even with my two left feet . . .
Perfect recipe and a wonderful post. God has blessed Rev and me with 44 years and I completely agree with every point. A great marriage is unselfish . . . but oh, it is also fun. So much fun!
LOVE, Lyli! Such a great recipe for marriage. I’ll definitely be sharing this piece today! =))
Beautiful recipe for a happy marriage and a beautiful photo. I don’t know when you changed your photo but I love it.
Thanks, Crystal. xo
Lyli {{or should I call you “Twinkle Toes}} – Wonderful advice for us all to remember, no matter how many years we have been married. The best part to me was > “Don’t scrimp on the portions when serving.” Let’s serve it up big!
I love your new gravatar, Lyli! And this post is the best! I’m always trying to get my Dreamer to dance, so he’ll appreciate me sharing this with him, lol 🙂 Have a blessed week.
Dear Twinkle Toes,
What a good, light-hearted yet filled-with-serious-enouragement post. It’s always a joy to read what’s canvasing that brain of yours. Love the writing and you, my friend. #writeonJesusgirl
Lyli,
Your words make me want to dance. And yes, “humility,” because God gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud. Praying you and your hubby have many more times to dance together, my friend…((hugs)) Pray God continues to bring healing to your hubby 🙂
Humility is a very wise answer! It can go a LONG way in keeping love strong and keeping fights at bay. Our pride is such a barrier otherwise
Lyli, this is beautiful and encouraging. I love that song by Lee Ann Womack! I also love your recipe! Blessings to you!
great post – and reminders – easy to stop dancing after 28 years! thanks, lyli
This made me smile because that is the one area I know I have at least felt like I wasn’t a failure with my kiddos… to dance in the kitchen with them. Hubby and I don’t dance in the kitchen much, but we have continued to laugh at ourselves and be gracious with one another. I have learned to love how he cares for me, not just about me, because he has made it a point to study me. I, too, have learned to watch him and learn his ways and his language. There is something about the growing older together, though,that we can’t know on the honeymoon…and it is more beautiful than words.
🙂 Always good to spend time here, Lyli!
Love,
Dawn