It’s never easy to be on the road, away from home. It’s especially hard during these three-city road trips, where I’m gone for 11 days straight. There are a lot of things that I love about playing baseball, but this is not one of them.

My family and I try to not go this long without seeing each other. Most times we find a time during these longer trips for them to fly out and see me at one of these cities but sometimes that doesn’t work out. I’m thankful for FaceTime so that I can see my wife and kids and interact with them a bit while I’m away, but it isn’t the same. The distance is hard.

One thing that has been really helpful for me has been finding one person who I can avoid the loneliness with. A few years ago, Adam Wainwright and I decided to get adjoining rooms whenever we are on the road so that we can hold each other accountable and avoid the loneliness. It’s crucial for us, as players, to spend time in community with others when the temptations come. Adam and I are in similar places in life—veteran players, with a wife and kids at home—so we know how to be there for each other. It’s a lot better to struggle along with someone else than to struggle by yourself.

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” —Hebrews 10:24-25

Sometimes it’s not the most comfortable of arrangements. There have been times when we can’t get adjoining rooms and there are no rooms with two queen beds. But even if it means we sleep in a smaller bed or a pull-out, it’s worth it.

I know it’s not easy for my wife either. I make it a priority—especially when I’m away—to remind her how much I love and appreciate her. She puts up with a lot for my sake and takes care of our kids by herself a lot of the time. I don’t want to wait until the rough moments come to tell her just how much she means to me—I want her to know it all the time. As I’ve gotten older and more mature, I’ve realized just how important it is to communicate this frequently.

My advice to any married couple is to do everything you can to be together. It’s not enough to just accept that you’re going to be away from each other every time you have to travel. Make sacrifices. Long stretches without seeing each other may come, but as much you can, avoid it. It may mean that your kids have to adjust their school schedule but family is more important than life’s other details. And when you do need to be away, find people to do life with who can help you grow in the Lord.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” —Proverbs 27:17

—Matt Holliday

Matt Holliday is a regular contributor of The Increase, providing monthly articles and opinions.

Check out Matt’s Increase profile here: http://theincrease.com/author/mattholliday/  

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