Patheos

BuddhistCatholicContemplativeEvangelicalGeneral ChristianHinduJewishLatter-day SaintMuslimNew VisionsProgressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Patheos

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Grace is Messy

Just Us

Last updated on: February 18, 2014 at 2:48 am   by Steve Austin

Just Us 2014-02-18T02:48:44-05:00 Steve Austin

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Lindsey and I have been on a “just us” long weekend and will be heading home later today. We’ve stayed in a Colonial cottage on the edge of Gorham’s Bluff (extreme Northeast Alabama). Below us, there is a 3,400 acre reservoir and a great view of the Tennessee River. We have enjoyed gorgeous sunsets each night and tons of quality time together.

We left our two-year-old at home with some other folks he adores, so this truly has been just us.

The morning of day two, I woke up early and was praying/meditating/listening and then began to write. Turns out it was a love letter to Lindsey. I began to tell her how beautiful she is and how much I love just her. The two of us are very busy people and it’s much easier to see her as mother, cooker, cleaner, wife, the one I make babies with, than just her.

I am in love with Lindsey. Just her. She is beautiful. All those years ago, I fell in love with a super hot girl who was creative, contemplative, & compassionate…and I met her again this weekend.

20140218-084726.jpg

I had to choke back tears a few times this weekend, just looking at her. Looking at the gorgeous lines that make her back so beautiful. Looking in her eyes that were the lightest gray/green on Sunday. Listening to her hum while she made bows or read a book by Fannie Flagg.

We spent time doing nothing. We were just together. No cell service until we went into Chattanooga one night. Talk about QUIET!

And then God…

He reminded me that it’s the same way with Him. We give ourselves all these titles: pastor, worship leader, speaker, blogger, the one who is always funny, the person who’s always happy, the girl who lets nothing get to her. All these roles. All these expectations. We do it and it seems natural and necessary, when all God is saying is just “Be mine” (Dang, should have written this on the 14th!).

But seriously.

Strip away the titles and you will find that you are just as loved and celebrated by God.

We become so busy performing that we forget to just be.

Faith

Christianity

faith

grace is messy

love

roles and responsibilities

romance

steve austin

titles

vacation

Previous Post



January 29, 2014

Surrendering the Splinter

Next Post



February 26, 2014 Catching Airplanes


Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Anxiety Best of Messy Grace Current Events Depression Faith Family Featured Fiction lgbtq Marriage Mental Health Messy Grace Millennials Parenting Recovery Recovery from a Suicide Attempt Recovery from Abuse Recovery from Porn Addiction Religious Recovery Self Care The Struggle With Church This is My Story (series) Uncategorized Writing Help

Select a Month January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 June 2015 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 June 2013 April 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 September 2011 August 2011 May 2011 July 2010


Follow Us!

Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter



TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who insulted and opposed David, then died after Abigail pleaded his case?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Amasa Ahithophel Joab Nabal

Related posts from Grace is Messy

Progressive Christian

The Most Rebellious Thing a Christian Can Do

Grace is Messy

Progressive Christian

I Found God in a Gay Bar

Grace is Messy

Progressive Christian

Don't Miss These 6 Powerful Quotes on Grace

Grace is Messy

Progressive Christian

How My Nephew's Death Taught Me Kindness

Grace is Messy

TRENDING AT PATHEOS Progressive Christian

Brandy Anderson, Team Weird, and Transcending Church

I met author Brandy Anderson on Heretic Happy Hour, when podcaster Keith...

Why Christians Have a Sacred Duty to Vote:...

The Bible offers strong support for the sacred duty to vote. Here...

What Being a Modern-Day Apostle Means to Me

In my last column, I discussed the ins and outs of modern-day...

Did Ancient China Once Worship the God of...

Across human history, a common thread weaves through the origins of the...

Love Your Neighbor – Including Earth-Kin: Lev. 19,...

God’s command to love your neighbor means acting in an ethical and...

Lead a Church Study of “Jesus and Lao...

Guest writer Jack Thomas (The Irreverent Reverend) reflects on leading his church...

view all Progressive Christian blogs

Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Copyright 2008-2026, Patheos. All rights reserved.

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube