Man Season

I tend to split the year into 3 categories:

January-May: Woman Season

June-September: Man Season

October-December: Kid Season


Woman Season includes Valentine's day and Mother's day.  It is the season that we ladies think about getting back in shape, but we don't yet do anything about it.  We remain warm and snuggly in our slippers and robes.  We get pretty flowers and we start planning our gardens.

Man Season starts at Memorial day, and includes Father's day, Fourth of July, and Labor day.  It is the season when women realize that we need to do more than just think about our health; we need to start getting in shape.  We want to look good for our man, after all!  It is also the season that men look forward to all year long: vacation from work, catching up with the wife, spending time with the kids...and it is a season filled with camping, fishing, adventure, and fun.

While each of these seasons, and Man Season in particular, has a lot of fun for children, Kid Season really isn't until nearing the end of summer.  It's the season that the children really become the emphasis: new clothes, getting older, haircuts, Halloween costumes, pumpkin patches, and thinking about all of the treasures waiting for them on Christmas.

They aren't a perfect fit, for sure, but generally, this is how I look at the year.

So, with Man Season upon us, I wanted to share a little idea that might help you as you think about Father's day gifts for your man.

He likes camping.  He likes family vacations.  He likes meals cooked on an open flame.

Get him a pie iron!  You can order from Amazon, and have it delivered on time, or you might find one at Target or another local store.  Here's a fun link for pie iron recipes!

Pie irons are a lot of fun for kids, easy for you to create yummy meals, and your guy will appreciate the new addition to his camping gear!
 

Cleaning the Fan

You've heard the vulgar expression about the damage caused upon the innocent, unassuming fan that happened to be present during an argument, and the "filth" that bears witness to it.  You know the one: that one about the mess hitting the fan.

As a Christian online writer, I struggle with not wanting to be so rich in "this is how to do it right" that I come across as only presenting a seemingly phoney-baloney approach to Christianity or to the real world.  I don't want to seem so patient, right, or holy that I'm unapproachable and my message is unrelatable.  This blog, within that line of thought, was created with the intention of sharing a collection of introspection, joy, wonder and thanksgiving that God continually cultivates in my spirit.

However, with all of that said, I am human.  I get angry, frustrated, sad, selfish, jealous, hurt and depressed.  I am, sometimes, an emotional mess.

One of my faults (embarassingly) is that, sometimes, I don't hear what my man is telling me, or I don't understand his approach to leading me and our family (which, admittedly, is amazing, and always for our good and benefit, even when I sometimes don't understand how it will work for that end).  I challenge him instead of helping him.  Instead of providing counsel, discussion and reflection, I offer sarcasm, indignity, and disrespect.  Thankfully, I don't do this often, but I am convicted when I do, and afterward, am continually propelled forward to reconcile and gain better insight into preventing it from happening again.

In short, sometimes, as much as I absolutely and deeply adore my husband, I get our fan dirty.

And now, I want to share with you how I clean it.

1. I remember that lovely gentleness that God placed in my spirit.  I beckon it.  I ask God to refresh it and bring it back into my reach.

That may sound like rubbish to you, but I've experienced the reality of it, and that is often enough to alter my path and lead me back to where I want to be (in alignment with my man and with God).

2.If that isn't enough, I have a special "fan cleaning kit".
Wanna peek inside?

Holy Bible

1. The Bible has lots to say about marriage, husbands and wives.  Just search "husband, husbands, marriage, wife, or love.



2. The Bible teaches me about the Holy Spirit, Who will speak into my spirit and will guide me into the full truth (John 16:13-15).

Click to Buy

3. One of my favorite books is "The Love Dare".  It goes along with the movie "Fireproof".  It challenges you, for 40 days, to stretch outside of your comfort, and think outside of your current feelings, and offer love to your spouse.

Click to Buy

4. I just love books (and blogs, radio stations, speakers) like this, from authors who can just be frank and tell me like it is. 

4. Asking for help.  Don't stay alone with the problem, because it is when we are alone that we become tempted (Genesis 3:4, Ecclesiastes 4:12).  Asking for help includes prayer, telling your husband that you are searching for a change in your spirit...it includes calling a trusted, responsible friend, mentor, or a leader in your church.  It is petitioning for someone else to help you lift it.  I think, at some time in our marriage, we all need to seek outside help. 

All of our fans get dirty.  

Maybe this very blog post is an answer to a call on your heart? 

So there you go.  You have a great start to cleaning your fan.  I hope it blesses you and your marriage!