In Marriage ~
" Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4: 31-32 ESVWe are told to keep 'short accounts' over and over again. Especially in marriage. When was the last time your spouse hurt you, disappointed you, or didn't remember something you thought they should? Is your answer quickly on your tongue? Do you and I keep short accounts everyday? Little irritations and small bitternesses over time will build up and do tremendous damage to your marriage. Forgive, and then forgive more!
I have been blessed with a lousy memory when it comes to 'grievances' done to me. There are only a hand full of things I can 'remember' being done to me that hurt. God in HIS great mercy has wiped the slate clean~ and I ask HIM to help me do the same! Actually, if I searched my mind there are way more than a hand full, but I have chosen to forget them.
Are you hard to live with? Is your husband hard to live with?
I asked my hubby this week if I am hard to live with. His answer, I didn't really appreciate until I thought about it for a few minutes. "Everyone is hard to live with at times, he said to me. I am. You are. Everyone is. I always pray it doesn't happen to us both on the same day!" He added that those who never ask themselves that question are probably very hard to live with most of the time. I must add I am married to one very honest, yet loving man!
These verses are good to put into 'action' in my marriage. We all at times are 'ornery'. I have had days when my 'blood itches' as I used to call it. Yet, I don't like that about myself. I am reminded that God loves me on the good days and on the not so good days, even on my bad days. That gives me hope ~ even when I fail!
As I run to Jesus and seek HIM first, my day goes better. On the days I spend time with HIM first, and the day goes haywire, I am quickly reminded how much more haywire it would of been, without that time spent with him!
So ask yourself today.....
"Am I easy to live with?"
What looks do I give? (I honestly have been 'working' on this one for years-----my kids used to ask me, "Mommy, why do you have your mad face on?")
What words come out of my mouth and heart?
Do I laugh often?
Am I too serious?
Am I grateful for small kindnesses?
Do I notice people?
Do I smile?
Do I have a 'good word' on my lips to share?
How many times a day do I kiss my husband? (I counted one day and was surprised how 'few' times!---working on this too.)
Look at your heart and be honest.
Lord, keep me tenderhearted today ~ especially to my husband!
With a Grateful Heart, hugs, Lynette
P.S. I will kiss him lots today!
I have been blessed with a lousy memory when it comes to 'grievances' done to me. There are only a hand full of things I can 'remember' being done to me that hurt. God in HIS great mercy has wiped the slate clean~ and I ask HIM to help me do the same! Actually, if I searched my mind there are way more than a hand full, but I have chosen to forget them.
Are you hard to live with? Is your husband hard to live with?
I asked my hubby this week if I am hard to live with. His answer, I didn't really appreciate until I thought about it for a few minutes. "Everyone is hard to live with at times, he said to me. I am. You are. Everyone is. I always pray it doesn't happen to us both on the same day!" He added that those who never ask themselves that question are probably very hard to live with most of the time. I must add I am married to one very honest, yet loving man!
These verses are good to put into 'action' in my marriage. We all at times are 'ornery'. I have had days when my 'blood itches' as I used to call it. Yet, I don't like that about myself. I am reminded that God loves me on the good days and on the not so good days, even on my bad days. That gives me hope ~ even when I fail!
As I run to Jesus and seek HIM first, my day goes better. On the days I spend time with HIM first, and the day goes haywire, I am quickly reminded how much more haywire it would of been, without that time spent with him!
So ask yourself today.....
"Am I easy to live with?"
What looks do I give? (I honestly have been 'working' on this one for years-----my kids used to ask me, "Mommy, why do you have your mad face on?")
What words come out of my mouth and heart?
Do I laugh often?
Am I too serious?
Am I grateful for small kindnesses?
Do I notice people?
Do I smile?
Do I have a 'good word' on my lips to share?
How many times a day do I kiss my husband? (I counted one day and was surprised how 'few' times!---working on this too.)
Look at your heart and be honest.
Lord, keep me tenderhearted today ~ especially to my husband!
With a Grateful Heart, hugs, Lynette
P.S. I will kiss him lots today!
What a loving and kind God we have to put such thoughts in your heart! Looking forward to the kisses!
ReplyDeleteYes, I know I am not easy to live with- Dave has such a servant's heart that it is easy to be with him... but I guess we all have our times! Thanks for the tips :)
ReplyDelete