Bible Passage for the Week

The bible passage to ponder this week is from Nahum 1:7 - "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him."

Take the opportunity to post this around your house, put it in your car, post it in your office, or wherever you may be to remind you the Lord is good and will be your stronghold.  Share with your family and friends how good the Lord has been!

Cheryl

Tolerance

The marriage reflection for this week was based upon the word tolerance.  I felt it was fitting to share as we enter the holiday season.   

Tolerance

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God.”  Ephesians 2:8

I think tolerance is a perfect fit for the beginning of the holiday season.  It is the season where there are 1000 and 1 things to do and places to be.  It is the season where relatives and in-laws are in the mix.  It is the season where “quirks” tend to be magnified!  It is the season where we forget to be tolerant!

Tolerance is the ability to withstand, or look the other way, when your spouse’s “quirks” drive you nutty!  Not only is it the ability to withstand the quirks but it is the ability not to let it get to you.  Dan and I fit the “opposites attract” model.  He is a morning person – I am a night owl.  He is an extrovert – I am an introvert.  He is very affectionate – I am not so affectionate.  He likes to do things spur of the moment – I like things planned.  He is optimistic – I am realistic.  Those are just a few of the differences we face each day.  The opportunity we have is to work together to fit the needs of each other.

Psalm 139:14 – “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”  God created each and every one of us unique with gifts and talents that are perfect for us.  Therefore, the differences between spouses is not “right” and “wrong” it is the melding of two lives that have been created uniquely different from everyone else.  The question is then how do you meld those uniquely different lives to be able to tolerate each other’s “quirks”?

The task of “tolerating” the differences is not a task that happens over night.  It is a task of seeing what makes your spouse tick and being aware of that.  For instance, Dan has learned the constant chaos and talking in the house eventually wears on me.  He quiets down and asks the kids to quiet down.  I have learned to be more of a morning person.  I have learned to function in the morning so we can do things together.  We do those things not because that is what we naturally come by; it is because we truly care about each other.  We are “tolerant”, or aware, of what each other prefer. 

There are always going to be differences and “quirks” you will be faced with in married life.  Have you developed the ability to withstand your spouse’s quirks?  There is also the question – do you know things bother your spouse and are you willing to change those things?  Colossians 3:13 – “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” 

As we enter this holiday season take an extra dose of tolerance!  Take time this holiday season to share with your spouse the beauty of their individuality.  Also take note in your own quirks to see what you can do to lessen the need for tolerance.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cheryl         

    

Bible Passage for the Week

The bible passage for this week comes from Psalm 4:7 - "You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound."

It is the week of Thanksgiving - a time to be thankful for all the blessings we have in our lives.  We have been given more joy than those who have "everything".  As you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, take time to see the joy in your life because the Lord has given abundantly.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cheryl 

Bible Passage for the Week

The bible passage for this week comes from Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

What a comfort it is to know how Christ will supply for our every need.  As you go through this week, take notice of how your needs are met.  Share with your family and friends how you see Christ providing for you.

Cheryl

Appreciation

Taking time to focus on your marriage is so important; yet so many times life gets in the way and keeps us busy.  That is why I started a weekly "Marriage Reflections" for couples who wanted to make sure they were putting their marriage on the front burner instead of the back burner.  Couples simply get an email every week that gives them an action/word to consider. 

I thought I would share week one with you.  Week one took a look at the word and act of  appreciation.

Appreciation

The definition of appreciation according to Dictionary.com is as follows…

1. Gratitude; thankful recognition
2. The act of estimating the qualities of things and giving them their proper value
3. An increase or rise in the value of property, goods, etc.

To appreciate something is simple.  The act of appreciation can be done with words, a gesture, or even a look.  For instance, to stop and take a look at God’s magnificent beauty is an act of appreciation.  To tell someone “Thank You” is an act of appreciation.  To wave and say Hi to someone is an act of appreciation.

If appreciation is just a simple act, then why did I choose this word to focus on for the week?  Simply put…it is a simple act that we forget to do for the ones we love the most.  Think back to when you were dating and you were on your “best” behavior.  You said “Please” and “Thank you”.  You probably held the door open for your date.  You listened intently to the conversation.  Then you got married and reality came about J. 

The reality being you live with each other 24/7.  You see each other’s bad habits.  You have to work things out to benefit the both of you.  You get involved with work, kids, other activities, etc and the simple acts in our lives can go by the wayside.  We forget to appreciate our spouse.  We forget to value them as noted in the third definition of appreciation.  Our spouse is not a property or a good but one that needs to feel value.  By taking the time to appreciate our spouse we are valuing them.

Scripture even talks about appreciation given to one another.  Proverbs 31:27-28 states…”She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

Colossians 3:15 notes…”And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful.”

This week take the time to appreciate one another.  Appreciate the little things each other does.  Appreciate the differences you have.  Appreciate your Lord together.  When you take time appreciate one another make sure you use words and actions and in doing that you will see your spouse in a different light.

Cheryl

     

Bible Passage for the Week

This week's bible passage comes from Jeremiah 31:25.  "For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish."

How does the Lord satisfy, or in the NIV version it says refresh, your soul?  Share with family and friends how the Lord replenishes you.  It is a great way to see the Lord at work!

Cheryl