Seventh Commandment of Marriage

I am not sure how time gets away from me so quickly but it has been quite some time since I have posted anything on marriage.  Therefore, it is time to take a look at the seventh commandment of marriage within Ed Young's book, "The Ten Commandments of Marriage".

This commandment, I believe is the basis of marriage or any relationship for that matter.  "Thou shalt forgive thy mate - 490 times and more."  It is at this point I am going to say, buy the book!  If you only buy the book to read this chapter, it is well worth your money.  I cannot review this chapter and do it justice.  In fact, it is a section of a book that needs to be highlighted, written in, and reviewed on a frequent basis. 

So on that note, I will add my thoughts about forgiveness and once again encourage you to buy the book.

Forgiveness is one of those things that seems to catch people off guard.  I cannot speak for anyone else, but I was so not prepared for marriage when I got married.  Yes, I was young but I don't think I would have been too much more prepared if I had been older.  I had an ideal of what my marriage was going to be and it sure was pretty.  In fact, I couldn't wait to be married because we could spend all of our time together.  Well, it only took about 2 weeks for that bubble to pop and my pretty picture wasn't so pretty anymore. 

The short story is we were both in college carrying a full credit load and having to work to support ourselves.  My husband had two jobs and I had one.  Needless to say there was no spending time together like I had dreamt about.  In fact, the stress load was quite intense so the "we will never have major arguments" bubble popped too.  What I was truly not prepared for was the pain that goes along with those major arguments.  Who knew?  I had no idea how much "love" could hurt.  I grew up in a household with married parents and they obviously did a great job of protecting us from their pain within their arguments.  For that I am very thankful!

What I had to learn and am still learning is to forgive as well as to ask for forgiveness.  Young notes in this chapter, "A marriage is not so much the union of two great lovers as it is of two great forgivers." (pg. 153)  It didn't take long for the bubble to pop because both my husband and I were human.  We made mistakes, said things that shouldn't have been said and in that we had to learn how to forgive and be forgiven.  In marriage, I learned that love can hurt but I also learned how love can grow so deep and be so gratifying because we "discovered" the element of forgiveness. 

Christ commands us to forgive.  He doesn't just say it once, He mentions it multiple times throughout the bible.  Therefore, it clearly is an important element in one's life.  The act of forgiveness allows for the love to grow deep and the relationship to strengthen.  There is no sin too big that cannot be forgiven.  Christ died on the cross and rose again so our sins would be wiped away.  He didn't say certain sins were going to be wiped away.  He paid the price for all sins.  Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

As Christ commands us to forgive, that commandment means 70 x 7 times.  Not only are we commanded to forgive we need to ask for forgiveness as well.  We can look at as we need to be forgiven 70 x 7.

Marriage is not an easy road, but it sure is rewarding when forgiveness can occur for one another.  By the way, I just celebrated my 16th wedding anniversary and Who Knew? marriage could be so amazing!

Cheryl

 

Bible Passage for the Week

This week we are going to take a look at Isaiah 30:21.. "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Take moments this week to talk about how God is leading you and where He is leading you. 

Cheryl

His Creation and His Beauty

A hobby of mine is photography.  This hobby has grown over the years and with my current camera I have taken over 14,000 pictures.  Needless to say, I have pictures of a lot of things!  Despite the thousands of pictures I am not quite sure what to do with, I have discovered something within my hobby.  I have discovered the beauty of God's creation!  Looking through my camera lens, I see things I have never noticed before; yet, have walked by "it" a thousand times. 

Yesterday, was a day that presented an opportunity which left me speechless.  I was up and on the beach prior to the sun "getting up".  There I sat facing the Atlantic ocean waiting for the sun to make its debut.  Not being a real morning person, my eyes were slightly open and my mind was still snuggled up with the pillow despite my body sitting on the beach.  With automatic reflexes the lens was attached to the camera, the camera turned on, and the first glimpse into the morning was there.  Wow!  What a wake a call.  The beauty surrounding me was magnificent.  The sky was filled with just a hint of orange as the waves crashed in on the beach.  The camera started clicking and God's creation became more visible!

So many times we live life on automatic pilot.  By being on automatic pilot we miss out on the little things.  We don't see the little bird "footprints" in the sand or the magnificent colors in the sky with the sun rising.  This is vacation time for many, which means time to spend with our loved ones.  Take moments to "discover" the beauty of God's creation!  Zechariah 9:17a notes, "For how great is His goodness, and how great His beauty!  Share with one another what it is that you noticed in God's creation.  What a great way to continue to discover the awesomeness of our Lord!

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

This week's bible passage will be bible passages.  On Sunday, two people who have been suffering with awful illnesses were called home in His glory.  Though there is sadness here on earth because loved ones are no longer with us, we can rejoice in the fact that Christ paid the ultimate price for us so we can enjoy the perfect life in Heaven. 

The first bible passage comes from Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." 

The second verse comes from Psalm 73:23-24 "Yet I am always with you; you hold me be my right hand, You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into your glory."

What comfort we can get by His word.  He holds our hand and tells us He will help us and when He is done guiding us here on earth He will take us into His glory. 

Samantha and Andrea have been lead into His glory!

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

The bible passage to post around the house this week is from Hebrews 2:18.

"For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted."

We face temptations daily.  Christ is the one to turn to for the help to withstand those temptations.  As you discuss this bible passage it can also be a reminder to include this in your daily prayers.  Lord, I know you faced temptations.  I need help to face the temptations I am facing.  Give me the strength and wisdom to be able to withstand those temptations.  Amen!

Cheryl