(This is a copy of the April Life Choices Newsletter. Be sure to note the free giveaway at the end!)

It is so good to be able to enjoy warmer temperatures as we move out of winter into Springtime.  Now, we’re focused on gardening, yardwork and camping.  Yes!  Every year one of our simple pleasures is watching the leaves sprout on the trees around us.  We are surrounded by a wooded area that includes some undeveloped land and a Conservation area, so there’s no end to the green.  You would think that with all of this warm weather we would put thoughts of winter behind us.  Nope.

Another of our seasonal pleasures is our fireplace.  We heat our home with it, so there is a functional aspect to it as well as the aesthetic pleasure of watching the fires burning.  It’s almost hypnotic at times.  So, during the beautiful warmer weather we are cutting firewood.  The best fires for winter are based on seasoned firewood.  So, it has to be cut, split and stacked so it can season, or dry out.  It takes a good amount of work now to get ready for winter…which we really don’t want to think about!

Planning ahead is also important for marriage.  The wise husband and wife will look, not only to today, but also to tomorrow in order to be the best we can be.  Are you planning ahead financially?  How about taking care of your home?  Are you getting the painting done in a timely manner?  Keeping the landscaping up-to-date?  More importantly, are you planning ahead emotionally and spiritually?  For years I have encouraged couples to read at least one good Christian book on marriage each year.  Read it together.  Share reading out loud.  Talk about it.  You will often find a new willingness to talk about issues that you may find difficult or troubling.  The long-term benefit to this is that you keep things fresh.  It is harder to hide things when you are making efforts to grow and discuss issues. 

The Bible teaches us that we should be growing spiritually as well.  How is this planning ahead?  Consider the parallel the Paul gives to Timothy (1 Timothy 4.8) when he writes that bodily discipline is good but should not supplant godliness, or spiritual discipline and growth.  You might have a workout routine to keep your body in good shape, especially as you grow older.  Maybe you are planning ahead to stay fit into your “golden years”. 

Just as you plan ahead physically, I want to encourage you to plan ahead spiritually.  Don’t neglect spiritual disciplines.  And pray.  Sometimes it is good to bring our requests to God while at other times it is good just to sit in His presence.  Every bit of spiritual growth you experience today gets you ready for what is ahead of you tomorrow. 

Chuck

Feel free to contact me when there is a need for Christian Counseling or Life Coaching.  We can set up a free 30-minute discovery call or make a schedule for working together.

Life Choices Christian Counseling and Life Coaching

LifeChoicesCLC.com              LifeChoicesCLC@gmail.com 573-280-5093

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I want to give you a special notice of a giveaway coming up soon!  From now until the end of June, 2025 if you want to be entered in a giveaway for a free copy of my newest book, Becoming an Inviting Target: Steps You can Take to Make Yourself More Loveable, available on Amazon, just send your email to the contact info above.  I’ll add you to the Newsletter emailing list and enter your info in the drawing.  Your information will be for the sole use of Life Choices Christian Counseling and Life Coaching.  No information will be given out or sold outside of Life Choices.  One entry per email address.