Tag Archives: marriage

Devotionals

The one for the secret to a long marriage

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We have been together since we were young, dumb, teenagers. After five years and a half years of being together and one FULL year of marriage sometimes I think about how we’ve made it this far – it’s INSANE to think that he’s stuck around with me this entire time….

I know the typical responses from every single forum or blog on the internet always say “Don’t go to bed angry” or the “Always say I love you when they leave”

Do you know how many times we went to bed angry? How many times we’ve hung up because it’s just easier to click the button than to keep having a “pointless” conversation.

We try not to make it a habit but guess what…all the “secrets”? We have broken them. M A N Y times.

The secret to a long lasting marriage or relationship is that there is no secret at all.

It’s a get up and try again over and over every single day.

It’s hanging on tight when you are in college and living on frozen dinners because it’s all you can afford.

It’s counting pennies when you are newlyweds so that you can build a life together for your future family.

It’s about knowing that nothing is going to turn out perfect, that your marriage won’t be a highlight reel because that’s not real life.

It’s being deep in the trenches of so many obstacles and every plot twist that life could throw you and getting to look over and know that you aren’t alone and that your best friend is walking it with you.

It’s knowing that you can never be prepared for the burdens you might have to help your partner carry but knowing that you are willing to carry it right alongside them.

Just try every single day, in the trenches and on top of the mountains don’t ever stop. Because stopping, that’s one thing that isn’t a secret, it will make you fail.

Dustin, I’ll never stop. Happy First Anniversary.💗

Devotionals

the one for when you need to listen

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Do you ever go to church and sit down in the back of the room and then start listening to the preacher and then realize…uh oh he’s talking to me? Do you hear his words and feel your heart race, blood drain from your face, and look down because you feel like in the midst of an E N T I R E room of people, he is looking and talking directly to Y O U. That’s always my favorite type of church service. Knowing that you’re struggling in an area and God used someone else to speak directly to your heart.

This happened to me yesterday. We sat down after praise and worship and realized the regular preacher, who we love to hear wasn’t going to be there today. It was another preacher, something had come up and he had to take the stage today instead of the usual preacher.

Today, his sermon was on Shame. He talked about how we handle shame and what triggers both men and women when it comes to shame. You see the night before my husband and I had gotten into an argument, a stupid, pointless argument and we went to bed angry with one another. This is something we N E V E R do. We always talk it out and do our very best to never go to bed upset with one another. But, a stupid fight blew up; and we went to bed angry. I’m not sure if you’re this way, but if I go to bed angry I always wake up angry. You see, this stupid argument has now rolled over into a new day. Another day of a stupid, pointless, R I D I C U L O U S argument.

We walked into church that morning and unexpectedly got told to quit being stupid. The preacher spoke and spoke and both of us listened relentlessly. I couldn’t get enough. I didn’t even pray for an answer or a solution yet. I hadn’t even asked God to ease my soul. I hadn’t even vented to God like I usually do when I’m angry or frustrated. But, in good faith – I went to church; and I listened.

You see, the key here is that I gave God my full attention; I made it a point to L I S T E N.

Even if we haven’t asked for it, even if we are not expecting an answer. God listens to us, he listens to our thoughts and he knows what we need. All we have to do is listen. He uses so many different things to talk to us – whether it be a song on the radio, a random preacher giving a random sermon, or an article showing up on your timeline.

God, thank you for hearing us. Thank you for listening even when we’re not speaking. Help us to open our hearts and hear your words. Help us to listen for your voice in times of need.

| Proverbs 3:6 Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. |

Devotionals

the one for relationships

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We hear these verses constantly. At weddings, in church, on that super cute couple’s Instagram page. We always associate these few verses as if they belong solely to relationships. I’m not saying they don’t or that they shouldn’t. I actually have a sign with the verses hanging in my living room next to our marriage certificate – so I promise that’s by no means what I’m saying.

These verses shouldn’t only apply to our relationship with our significant other, it should also apply to our friendships, to our relationship with Christ.

When God is working in our lives, when he is closing doors left and right and we’re just so frustrated with the world – and we don’t know what to do. • “Love is patient, love is kind” • Remember – we love Him, we’re so thankful for his sacrifices for us. We need to be patient because he tells us time and time again that he has plans for US. He knows what he’s doing, and we need to quit losing sight of that.

When God blesses someone else’s life – wether it be a promotion, or an engagement, or a pregnancy. • ”It does not envy” • God is working on you, don’t worry about what he’s doing for others. I’m preaching to the choir right now, let me go ahead and tell you I have a season pass on the struggle bus when it comes to this; and I know we’ve all struggled with this at least once, we’re human, it happens. But, remember our time will come darlings, and when our time does • “it does not boast” • Try to remember…someone is looking at you right now praying, begging for a blessing to come their way. Don’t flaunt it – but tell them of times you were envious – of times you begged for a change — give them faith that their time will come – just like ours.

It is very easy today, to see someone acting “wrong”, and for us to get underneath that facebook post and just blast them for not being Christ-like…to tell them that they are acting wrong, and that it is just unacceptable. It’s easy to do a good deed, then turn around and post it all over facebook because you’re looking for the Glory that comes along with it. We should do good things, we should use our faith to remind others of what Christ is – of who HE is, not for likes and comments and replies under our post. • It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ” •

• It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” • This verse. It gets me every time. We should always protect the Word of God, we should always trust that HE will take care of us, we should always hope that can be worthy of the ultimate sacrifice that HE gave to us. Lastly, we should always persevere. No matter what is thrown our way, no matter what obstacle, what tragedy, what heartbreak we encounter. We can and we will preserve with God at our right side walking us through the fire. We shall prevail – because with him, we have it all.

Lord help us to use this passage to not only grow our earthly relationships – but help us to use this as a guide for our relationship with you. Help us to have faith, patience, and hope. Teach us your ways.

| “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 |