Marriage Is A Journey

Marriage is a journey.  What have you packed for the trip?

When I plan for a trip. I pack more than enough stuff "just in case" I need it.  When I realized that my marriage was a long journey that I would travel until I die... I started to pack.  These are some of the things I have for the journey.

• A pack a patience. One for each day
• A lot of smiles and laughs.  I can never have too many of those.
• Food for my soul. My Bible, journal, and sermon notes are carry on items.  
• I keep gratitude on hand. I never know when I will need it.
• Cute lingerie is a must. My husband makes sure I keep that around (chuckle, laugh, smile) 

and love... I let God fill my bag.  He has it overflowing and makes sure nothing is too heavy for me to carry.  

These are just a few of the things I keep in my marriage suitcase. 
What about you?
What do you bring along for your journey with your husband?

Lisa

Did God Really Speak To Me This Morning?

My early morning devotion took me to Deuteronomy where God commands me to show kindness to those in need. My response is “OK God, I can do that today”. I leave the house, go to the dentist, and smile as I speak kind words to everyone in the office. I leave there and come home. My husband is there.

He had taken all 3 kids to school this morning so I could make the appointment. Afterwards he planned to take my mini van through inspection and finally go to work. He greeted me with a kiss and a smile. I sighed back.

I walked around doing my normal morning chores. I made the bed, emptied the dishwasher, made breakfast, and put some clothes ways. I thought about how much I do all day and began to feel unappreciated by my husband. He had not done or said anything, it just came over me. Ever had that happen to you?


Now I am in a bad mood and a bit annoyed with my husband for no apparent reason. He prepares to leave and wishes me a good day. I say thanks and let him leave the house with no smile, no kiss, and not much affection. Can you say NO KINDNESS!


Since I forgot God’s word to me earlier, He was king enough to speak again. I sat down to the computer and read an online devotional. It took me to the book of James. Be slow to wrath or anger. The writer says that the enemy wants to tempt me to be easily offended. When that happens I am to practice mercy and forgiveness. I hear kindness….Is that a summary of my morning or what?

God really has spoken to me this morning. I am going to respond by treating my husband with kindness today. I am going to confess my anger as sin and ask God to help me release mercy today. I love my husband and I love my God. Because, even when I am offended enough to be mad for no reason… they still speak to me in the morning.

 
Lisa


I pray you show extra kindness to your husband today.

Is It Your Husband?

I feel compelled to ask…. Is it your husband?

Is it your husband…

Who will work on the oil spill or prosecute the car bomber from Times Square?
Is it your husband running for election or seeking a job promotion?
Is your husband working overtime or looking for a job?
Will he treat patients in the Emergency Room or fight a local fire?
Is it your husband who will take off from work to care for aging parents or sick children?


Is it your husband who is hurting or feeling disrespected?
Is it your husband who woke up wanting to leave home and never return?
Is it your husband who is struggling to hold on to his faith?
Is it your husband looking to his helper for strength and loyalty?

Someone’s husband is doing all of these things and more. Is it yours?

Today, I challenge you to pray for husbands. Include the men of God ordained to head households and have dominion over the earth.

1. On this national day of prayer, ask your self is it my husband?
2. Then offer his name to the heavens first.
3. Next, offer prayers for our leaders!

Today take a moment to pray for a husband you know….

Lisa

“Wives On Purpose” is praying on tomorrow 5/6/10. On the National Day of Prayer http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/ we will be standing in the gap for marriage. At 5:00 a.m. many faithful wives will get on a conference call to pray for those who are weak.  Our prayers will include not only our marriages but also the marriages of community leaders, Church leaders , and our Country's leaders.     

If you would like to join us please email wivesonpurpose@yahoo.com. Type “national day of prayer” in the subject line. You will be sent the details. Thank you for using the weapons of prayer and praise to impact marriage. 

Follow Your Heart…

In times of marriage hardship, wives often suffer from broken hearts. Let’s face it many tears, lots of frustration, deep sadness and growing bitterness may result from hurt feelings that lead to broken hearts. Every day trials and conflict make living with our husbands painful at best. Making plans to live without him breeds anxiety and uncertainty often at simultaneously. What a crazy way to live. Why? Could it be that we are following our hearts?

In the depths of marriage despair, I had to consider Jeremiah 17: 9-10. The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it? Now I must wonder, if I would follow a girlfriend that was deceitful and desperately wicked?

I the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind. Could it be that my troubles are a result of God searching my heart and testing my mind? Maybe I have overlooked God’s involvement and given his glory over to the heartache telling me that the enemy is attacking my marriage. Did I forget the deal was for better and for worse?

Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. This is HUGE! What if I am being given life circumstances according to my ways? What has been my way? Have been a wife according to my way or God’s way? What is the fruit of my doings? Have I spent time seeking God for his response to these feelings of heartache?

Even in the midst of our greatest problems with our husbands I have good news! We can Stop following our hearts and begin to follow our minds.

• Our mind chooses to believe God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). He is for our marriage success.
• Our mind reminds us that we are the wife by covenant (Malachi 2:14b).
• Our mind honors our commitment to our husbands and over powers our emotions.

We can get through the worse times because the strength of Jesus is made perfect in our weakness. Are you weak in your marriage today? Choose to follow God’s truth. Stop following you heart. Instead, lead your heart to follow God. You have victory in HIM.

Lisa