Marriage, from Mom

Mom was a widow from many years when she wrote this, but her insights were spot on.  But then, that's what happens when you get into God's Word!

Marriage is a one time thing and in God's eyes should be and always needs to be worked at.  It's easy to stay and be unhappy, let's face it, it's a very close relationship with another and "self" can creep in so easily.

These steps are important to keep your marriage on an even keel:

1.  Hear.  Listen to your spouse
2.  Encourage.  Focus on your spouse's positive qualities.
3.  Date.  Celebrate your marriage all the time by playing and laughing together
4.  Guard.  Establish safeguards by setting clear standards.
5.  Educate.  Study your mate to truly understand them.
6.  Satisfy.  Meet each other's needs.

Faithfulness to God and commitment to each other alone brings peace of mind and satisfaction.  Jesus Christ is the only third part in a marriage Who can make it work.   

Ephesians 5:21-23  And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord.  For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church.  He is the Savior of His body, the church.  As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.  

1 Peter 3:7  In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives.  Treat you wife with understanding as you live together.  She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life.  Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

Proverbs 16:16-22  How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!  Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall.  Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.  Those who listen to instruction will prosper, those who trust the Lord will be joyful.  The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.  Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.  

Understanding takes time.

From me.

These seem to be such simple steps to a working marriage. Treating one another with respect, seeking to understand and seeking the best for the other person are keys in a strong marriage.  So many times we let selfishness in, let a negative focus take over our hearts.  This is not God's intent.  A good marriage takes hard work!

Lord, help us to guard our hearts and guard our marriages.  Lord, be the focus and center of everything we do in our homes.  Help us to be obedient to You, submitting to Your will and Your way.  In Jesus Name, amen.  

Start with the first step today.  If it's hard to do this for your spouse, do it for the Lord.