Marriage Devotional Part 3

I haven't blogged about The Love Dare Day by Day in 2 months so I figured it was a great time to do just that! This book is a year of devotionals for couples and I have posted Part 1 Here and Part 2 HERE. So you can kinda review what was and has gone on!


I have to say this has been a wonderful thing for my husband and I to commit to doing daily! I love the time we spend just talking in the evening before bed. This really helps you connect with the way your spouse feels about many different topics. Its not just things for couples to read it makes you think of how you are individually in your walk with God and just as a person. It helps to really focus on the way you believe things and the way you look at things. Something Kevin and I have come to realize is we look at the same situation very differently sometimes. It can be something small or big however we both have a different take on it. Which is true in real life dealing with anyone, but in marriage you have to make sure to talk threw situations so that you can be on the same page when the prepared time comes.


Our live has really changed when he(I should say we) decided he was going back to school 2 years ago. I started having to work from home with the 3 kids AND STILL HOMESCHOOL. All the normal chores still had to be done and was all my responsibility. He got to leave the house and be gone. Not that it was a vacation however I resented him for getting that liberty for a while. Until we started this devotional I really don't think he looked at it the way I did. Not that he was getting anything special, his schooling is very hard on him mentally and physically, its very draining. However I felt very stuck. All of you that know me understand I do not like change, I can't adapt to it very well. So when we started this devotional it kinda came out that I felt this way in talking in one of the lessons. Long story short he honestly never looked at it the way I did, however it impacted the way I treated him and I had to apologize for that. Any mistreatment must be addressed because it will begin to invade your life! Its kinda like a sore... It festers and becomes very unpleasant.


Here are a few topics covered that really impacted me over the last few weeks...


Love dies to Self -- If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23. This lesson talked about having selfish desires! You should always put yourself last and everyone exspecially your spouse in your thoughts.


Love takes the Initiative -- Therefore, Gods chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12. This lesson talked about how kindness should always think ahead. A good husband or wife is thoughtful and finds ways to demonstrate unexpected gestures just as our God does for us!


Love sets Priorities -- The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness and honor. Proverbs 21:21. In this lesson it teaches how real love leads to inner joy. When you relinquish your rights for the sake of your mate, you get a change to lose yourself to the greater purpose of marriage!!


Love shows Restraint -- The intelligent person retrains his words, and one who keeps cool head is a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:27. Love doesn't or shouldn't turn sour under pressure. I think this one lesson could be helpful for so many marriages, as Kevin and I talk about our lessons we see how so many of our friends and family members really need to work on this! A husband and wife have to show and act to each other in certain ways and sometimes its just amazing to stop and look at the "majority" of this world... Sadness is what I think of!! Love doesn't get angry or hurt unless there is a legitimate and just reason. A loving husband should always remain calm and patient showing mercy and restraining his temper. A loving wife is not overly sensitive or cranky but exercises emotional self control. She should try to be a flower amount the thorns! Love lowers stress. By making calmness and patience a default setting. Then your heart is set to respond to your spouse with patience and encouragement rather than anger!


Love holds no Grudge -- All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness. Ephesians 4:31. This lesson talks of how you can't love and be bitter at the same time. When you have resentment it will hinder the flow of openness and tenderness you can share with your spouse! This is what I was talking about earlier about when our life made a 360 with Kevin going back to school and me having to adjust!!  We bottle things up and its damaging to ourselves and everyone around us. Love should enter our heart and keep us calm and inspire us to focus on other things. It can help loosen the grasp helping our way. Past hurts are hard to let go of, however love is the best medicine for our heart, a gift from God if only we will take it.

 Yes he still brings me flowers on an almost weekly basis... I love it!
I hope that some of this can help you in your life! Blessings!