There are ways to make this happen if it matters to you.
A few years ago, my husband, Dave, had the amazing opportunity to travel to Israel for 10 days with some awesome Christian leaders, speakers, musicians, and athletes. It was truly one of those “once in a lifetime” opportunities. I was invited to go, too, but I didn’t feel like it was the right time for both of us to go clear across the world with such young children at home. So, I encouraged Dave to go alone this time, and he did.
When Dave got back from this epic trip, he literally glowed. We had dinner with some mentors of ours a few nights later, and Dave told them all about his Israel adventure. After he finished, our mentor leaned in close, grabbed us both around the shoulders, and said Dave and I should both make it a priority to go to Israel together very soon. Tears came to his eyes as he recalled two different milestone trips that he and his wife, of 50 years, took together. He said those were inspiring “mountain top experiences” for both of them that they will surely never forget. He said these experiences even took their marriage to a whole new level. “So, when will the two of you go to Israel?” he asked. I preceded to list out reasons why I couldn’t go—like childcare, time, money, etc. He looked me square in the eyes and said, “You’re making this too complicated, Ashley. There are ways to make this happen if it matters to you.” He was right, and I told him so.
Since that conversation, Dave and I started thinking, praying, and dreaming about making this trip happen. I kept hearing our dear mentor say, “You’re making this too complicated.” Sometimes, I just make things more complicated than they need to be. Isn’t that true for so many of us? We feel a stirring in our heart to go and have some kind of mountain top experience with our spouse, and we use every excuse in the world to keep it from happening. Some of these excuses are totally valid—like enduring a global pandemic with a lot of travel opportunities being shut down, illness running amuck, and finances growing slim. Even so, we need to make these kinds of experiences with our spouse and family a high priority. They are always worth the time and investment. These experiences have a way of bringing us closer because we encounter new things together and must trust and depend on one another through it all. Not to mention, they sure create amazing memories.
So, what is a mountain top experience that you’ve felt stirring in your heart recently? Is it taking a mission trip with your spouse? Is it doing something physically adventurous like climbing a big mountain or hiking a long trail together? Is it traveling to a faraway place and seeing sights you’ve been dreaming of seeing in person since you were a child?
What is IT for you and your spouse?
Think about it, talk about it, pray about it, and then, plan it. Don’t make it too complicated, like our wise mentor pointed out. Find a way to go, and you’ll be so glad that the two of you were able to have an amazing mountain top experience together!