The Honeymoon Life

The Honeymoon Life

Sharon Glasgow

My heart sank as she told me the tragic end to her love story. When she and her husband married, they couldn’t afford a nice honeymoon. Kids soon followed and the money to do something special together just never seemed to be there.

When their last child was leaving for college, they finally made arrangements for their perfect honeymoon. Then her husband was tragically killed in a car accident before they left. Her dreams were shattered.

Her story affected me deeply. Although my husband was still alive, I hadn’t had the honeymoon of my dreams either. On our wedding night, we stayed at a state park. For years, I too dreamed of a “real” honeymoon. But after hearing my friend’s story, I changed my thinking.

Rather than a honeymoon trip, I wanted a honeymoon life.

In prayer, I made this commitment to the Lord: My husband is Yours. I don’t know how long my days with him will be. But I trust You to teach me how to spend our time wisely. When our days are done, I don’t want to have any regrets. Teach me how to be a lover of You first. And by loving You, I will know how to love my husband fully—especially when the days are hard, the storms rage, and the sun sets at the close of our life together on earth.

The Lord gave me peace. And this verse came to mind: “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come” (Proverbs 31:25 KJV).

I knew God was telling me to not be afraid of what tomorrow might bring. He would give me the strength to live the honeymoon life successfully and married life to the fullest.

A few weeks later, my husband and I celebrated our anniversary. We couldn’t afford a special trip, but that didn’t discourage me. This was the start of our honeymoon life. I packed a picnic of his favorite foods and we enjoyed the meal, and each other, in the middle of the field behind our house. No trip around the world, no lavish hotel, no gourmet dish could surpass the gift of our time in that field and the way God changed my perspective.

I’ve chosen to live the honeymoon life every day. I cherish the simple things, like making my husband’s favorite dishes, going to bed at the same time, and praying together. I even enjoy our mundane trips to the store together.

We’ve been living the honeymoon life for sixteen years now and have been married for thirty-one. With God’s help, I’ve been able to see every day as an opportunity to love my husband in a special way. We may never go on that honeymoon trip, but I’ll take a picnic in a field any day.

Lord, give me the ability to live the honeymoon life with my husband. Help me to stop focusing on the what if’s of the future and to start focusing on loving to the fullest today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

REMEMBER

It isn’t trips, diamonds, or flowers that make a marriage. It’s how you live married life every day that makes it romantic and priceless.

REFLECT

What excites you about living every day as if it were your last with your husband? Do you love him outrageously as no one else could?

RESPOND

If you’ve fallen out of love, fall in love again. Let your actions every day— big or small—tell him there is none better than he. Love him intimately. Listen to him intently. Never be too tired to help lift him up when he is down. Make yourself and your home a sanctuary of loveliness.

POWER VERSES

Proverbs 31:10–11; Hebrews 10:24