Reflections on Marriage

Things I am called to do and be faithful in:

• The Covenant of faithfulness to my husband- Malachi 2:13-15
• To take care of my family using my gifts and talents to help make and keep our home well managed- Proverbs 31 & 1 Timothy 3:12
• To show reverence, respect for my husband no matter what – Proverbs 31:23 & Ephesians 5:33
• To give myself wholly to my husband out of love, selflessness, and for protection from the enemy’s schemes – 1 Corinthians 7:3-5
• To submit to my husband in everything – Ephesians 5:22-24
• To fear God alone, not giving way to fear of the unknown for my life, marriage, and family– 1 Peter 3:5

I am called to be a faithful servant to the Lord as I watch for His return. I am not called to be successful but to be faithful. Matthew 24: 45-51

Marriage is an earthly gift. It is given as a tool and help for sharing and spreading God’s gospel message to the world. It is also for creating Godly legacies and for creating the wonderful unit: the family. Marriage is supposed to mirror our union and oneness with Christ that we will experience one day. Marriage is to represent a better marriage yet to come. For this reason, we will not be given into marriage in the end days, because our glorious marriage will be with Christ himself. There will be no need for marriage amongst His people. He will be my husband. He will be the most perfect, wonderful, glorious, and sweet husband anyone has ever had!

Patience vs. Critical Spirit

"Patience and a critical spirit are mutually exclusive. Even when your complaints are justified, patience pushes and pulls you toward forgiving and forgetting: “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11 NIV)...Patience frees us to develop godly diversity in our relationships, where we no longer require everyone to act and look and think the same way we do." --Jon Walker in Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals.

Man I totally have a critical spirit so many times. I catch myself thinking the worst of people or sneering at decisions with piousness or thinking of just how much that person needs to grow. How hidious of me! I hate seeing my arrogance, my smugness. I really feel like this is such a true saying above: that patience and a critical spirit are mutally exclusive. Right at the time that I am not being patient with Andrew is when I hear myself saying things that puff me up and put him down in my mind, rather than receiving who he is, as is, with thankfullness and gratitude. I believe that my way and who I am is way cooler than how they do things or who they are. I always paint myself to be far more "put together" than reality shows. Wow! I need grace in this area.

Father,
You love us all, even despite our failings or malnourished areas. Forgive me for puffing myself up as more worthy of love and mercy than others; forgive me for thinking thoughts that go against your thoughts towards those you love. Help me to be truly and completely humble and to think of myself with sober judgement. Allow this to spur me to greater long suffering in patience with those you love. Thank you that you hear this cry. Change my heart O God to look like yours.