Yes, still here. Nothing like declaring that you are going to do something big and then vanish for a while to build up suspense. Yes, still planning to write the book, but I’m also dedicated to continuing to blog. It’s been way too therapeutic and meaningful for me. My goal is to continue journaling here while I’m pressing forward on my big project.

In the meantime, I’ve been absent for a good reason. My wife and I celebrated our 8th anniversary last night, and we’re renewing our vows tomorrow night in front of some of our close friends and our boys. Earlier this year, I was moved to do this. I expressed my interest to Calie, who immediately agreed. We had let life, kids, work, money, stress, sin, etc. pull us apart and distance us from one another. We were building walls, one brick, one day at a time. And while we hadn’t hit the skids or experienced a real crisis, we were headed toward a host of other things that were just as dangerous. Apathy. Indifference. Exhaustion.  Resentment. Etc.

After several attempts to plan our renewal, I finally got it all pulled together for this weekend. It will be a very special experience for us, especially for me. She is one of the greatest gifts God has blessed me with, and I want to fully honor her and the vows I made 8 years ago. I want to recommit, reconnect and revitalize our relationship. I want to change a lot of things for the better.

Marriage is a lot like your faith walk. It’s hard. It takes daily perseverance. It can wander off into a dark place quickly. In attempting to walk more closely with God the past year or so, I’ve been equally convicted to renew my relationship with Calie. I don’t think that was a coincidence. I believe that God uses her to nurture me, to show me truths, to deepen me. And that I serve the same purpose for her. At least that’s the design. And when we keep God involved in the relationship and our heads on straight, the design works perfectly.

Tomorrow, I say “I do” again. And I do. I really, really do.