Be Careful What You Let In Your Pants--You Could Really Get Stung!

A funny thing happened on my way to dine finely. Lunching on the terrace over looking the lake, enjoying the good company of friends, and fine food, I was aghast when a bug flew down my blouse. Being Elaine, I made matters worse by jumping up and down and flailing my arms. Proud of myself that I did not scream; although, I did notice annoying looks from well- dressed people whose lunch had been disrupted. The bug seemed to disappear and I sat down with apologies to all.

Standing to depart, I realized that the bug had somehow squirmed its way out of my blouse and was now inside my pants. A bug in one's blouse is one issue, a pest in one's pants takes this to a whole new level. I still did not scream--I think I was too terrified of what was crawling around my undergarments. Calmly, hoping no one would notice, I put my hand down my pants and retrieved Mr. Japanese beetle himself. Don't ask me why I didn't go to the ladies room to do this. I didn't think of it. I reacted. I wanted the bug out of my britches.

Now that the insect is far away, I laugh at the day's event. Being a writer, I know God lets these things happen to me so I can write about them and make a spiritual application. On my bike ride it came to me.

Please listen young people, it is a fast track from point A to point B. A hand down a blouse becomes a hand down one's pants before you have time to react. How quickly your life can change and you find yourself in a position you never expected to be in when your day began. Be aware. Don't go there. Be prepared to flail your arms and scream, "no" before you do something you'll regret for the rest of your life.

I know this. When you stand at the altar to marry the love of your life, you'll wish there were no hands who had ever touched you but your husband's. The same goes for the guys. How special your bride will feel knowing she will be the first and the only. It's a decision you will not regret.

Pre-marital sex can seem like a splash of serenity. But it's only a splash. Within seconds the splash is gone and so is the serenity. Be careful what you let in your pants. You could really get stung.

Love you teens. Praying for you,

Elaine

Keeping Your Marriage Fresh

In the busyness of each day it is easy to lose touch with the most important person in your life. Don't let it happen.

An excited husband thanked me for writing an article encouraging married couples to plan a date where their eyes and their thoughts are only on each other. Children, work, church, politics, chores, any bad news will not be topics of conversation. This night is for you! He was all smiles in anticipation of his date night with the love of his life and the attention he would give and receive.

I'm thrilled for this couple and I'm taking my own advice. Tomorrow Dan and I are going on a date. We won't talk about the church, our children, the wall that needs painted, the grass that needs planted, our busy schedules. We'll only focus on each other.

Let me tell you, I have one excited husband on my hands and this one is mine.

Give your marriage a splash of serenity and plan a date night where you refuse to talk about anything but your love and the God Who brought you together. Go ahead--have some fun. As my lawyer son would say, "It's legal!"

Splashes of Serenity prayed for your marriage,

Elaine