It Takes a Lifetime
Café Menu for Monday, September 7, 2015
Today’s Special is: Love is Spelled: C.O.M.M.I.T.M.E.N.T.
Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Paris Renae
Main Ingredient:
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6 NIV
Entrée:
With flowing dresses and petals strewed we step into the unknown – hopes and dreams and hands holding…
Thirty-two years ago I did not know the man I married – whether you dated a few months or few years, you did not know your man either. Time shows their heart, vulnerabilities, strengths – and ours. Every day, the great days and the hard days, require us to commit our hearts again and again…
What a mystery God created when He instituted marriage. The uniting of two souls into one – two imperfect people. Why then do we expect perfection from our husbands – that he would like girl talk, that he would know when you’re in the mood – or not, that he would protect us from all pitfalls of life. Yet isn’t that what our bruised imperfection expects?
Maybe what God had in mind is what He has in mind for all relationships: forgiveness, grace, commitment. Amazing how differently we see that man, gold band and familiarity, when we think ‘how do I want him to see me?’
Ever been in a group and asked to introduce yourself and tell a little about your family? Many times I’ve said ‘I’m Paris and I’m married to the most wonderful man in the world.’ Wouldn’t that be what I would want him to say about me in the same situation?
Right now I see him out the window mowing the lawn – hair beginning to show some gray, sweat making his shirt cling. Thankful that I have a lawn that needs mowing and a man willing to spend the time to do it. He will look in and see me, glasses now helping eyes to see the words, smiling as I reminisce over the years of lessons…
It takes a lifetime to know each other – it’s worth all sacrifice. Through it all God has given us endurance and encouragement, unity as we follow Jesus, and may we now and always with one mouth and one heart glorify the King of Kings…
Take Out:
Dear one, will you look at your husband with His eyes today? Will you, no matter your bruised feelings, say ‘I am married to the best man in the world’?
Commit again today by seeking His love, giving His grace, and see the gold band anew as you commit your marriage into the Hands that will make it thrive…
Dessert:
Oh Father, what a mystery this thing called marriage. We learn about You as we learn about living out the day to day with the one You united us to. When we are feeling distant, or angry, or frustrated call to our minds the word that all marriages require: commitment. Help us to again and again commit to You our needs in this, the most wonderful of all relationships. In Jesus’ Perfect Name, Amen.
© 2015 by Paris Renae. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Monday, 07 September 2015.
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