Yesterday afternoon I had a chance to catch up with a good friend for an extended phone conversation. My children were busy with Lego's so I had opportunity to really talk! It was a treat to catch up with my friend.
Once we'd caught up on each of our family's vacations and happenings she reported on a prayer request she'd made on behalf of a friend,who lives far away, months ago. A friend I do not know, but due to her circumstances my heart aches for her as a fellow sister in Christ. Her marriage is in trouble and has been for some time. She is committed to the covenant she made, but is lonely and hurting. They have two girls and lost a child three years ago, which caused her and her husband increased despair.
We talked about marriage and how hard it can be sometimes even under the best of circumstances. It made me think about how on the surface many marriages may look perfect, when in fact they probably are alot like everyone elses- a work in progress.
Before my wedding my mom shared how later in marriage I may not feel loving towards my husband. (At the time I was thinking, oh that will NEVER happen to Mr P and I.) She went on to add that love is a choice not a feeling. You can love without feeling love because you choose too. Thinking on that now, God's love is like that. He chooses to love me even when I am sinful and unlovable. Even when I let Him down He is there loving me. He made a covenant through the life of His son to love me.
My friend and I ended our conversation, promising to continue to pray for her friend. Praying that she may have strength, patience and perseverance in her decision to stay in her marriage. Praying that her husband's heart will be softened and again open to her. Praying that they may make a friendship with a Christ like couple in their church who will mentor to them during this difficult time. Praying they will choose to love even though they do not feel love.
Dear God,
Please cover all of the marriages out there that are hurting with Your love. May hearts be softened, forgiveness be granted, understanding be given, and love chosen. May flames be rekindled so that they can see the love they once promised to cherish. Your love can heal their hurts, may they turn to You and then to eachother. In Jesus Name, Amen.
1 Peter 3:4 "Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."
1 Corinthians 13:4-6 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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 truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres."
1 John 4:9-10 "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
1 John 4:19 "We love because he first loved us."
Friday, August 15, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
One on One Time
Since our oldest boy is still away at camp, (only 13 hours to go!) my husband has taken this opportunity for some big man time with our middle son. He is amazed at how much information this one on one time has generated. He's learned about all of our son's favorite sports; soccer, Tae Kwon Doe, swimming and of course football. These are basically all the sports he has ever tried but it was fun for my husband to listen to him talking so enthusiastically!
The summer before we had children we'd gone on a camping trip to West Virginia to raft the New River and to celebrate our third wedding anniversary. We met a nice young man of 14 and his dad. His dad shared with us that this trip was a coming of age trip that he'd also done two years earlier with his oldest and plans to do again in a few years with his youngest. He and his wife routinely planned special outings with each of their children for one on one time. Since we were praying for a child of our own at the time, we both marveled at what a wonderful idea this family had.
I've noticed that when I ask my boys about their day or about an activity or outing they were involved in I get short one word answers. Conversely, if I do not ask but do an activity with them like throwing the football in the back yard, or jog along side them while they ride their bike I learn so much more. More information that I would even think to ask.
I am so thankful that God has placed our lives in such a way that my husband and I can spend lots of time with our children. Time just for the ordinary daily tasks of life that sometimes lay way to learning experiences for all of us.
Dear God,
You have blessed us with three amazing children. I know they truly are Yours, and I only get to hold them for a short while. May I treasure every sweet moment and not take for granted even the mundane tasks of mothering. You have created them each with unique personalities, talents and preferences. May I be sensitive to each individual trait so as to love them and know them as You do! In Jesus Name, Amen.
Isaiah 40:11 "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."
The summer before we had children we'd gone on a camping trip to West Virginia to raft the New River and to celebrate our third wedding anniversary. We met a nice young man of 14 and his dad. His dad shared with us that this trip was a coming of age trip that he'd also done two years earlier with his oldest and plans to do again in a few years with his youngest. He and his wife routinely planned special outings with each of their children for one on one time. Since we were praying for a child of our own at the time, we both marveled at what a wonderful idea this family had.
I've noticed that when I ask my boys about their day or about an activity or outing they were involved in I get short one word answers. Conversely, if I do not ask but do an activity with them like throwing the football in the back yard, or jog along side them while they ride their bike I learn so much more. More information that I would even think to ask.
I am so thankful that God has placed our lives in such a way that my husband and I can spend lots of time with our children. Time just for the ordinary daily tasks of life that sometimes lay way to learning experiences for all of us.
Dear God,
You have blessed us with three amazing children. I know they truly are Yours, and I only get to hold them for a short while. May I treasure every sweet moment and not take for granted even the mundane tasks of mothering. You have created them each with unique personalities, talents and preferences. May I be sensitive to each individual trait so as to love them and know them as You do! In Jesus Name, Amen.
Isaiah 40:11 "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."
A Prayer for My Husband
Today is an important day for Mr P in his career. He has been diligently striving towards a goal for several years now and he is at a place where his hard work could now come to fruition.
For the first ten years of my marriage my husbands career has been a place where I have often prayed for what I wanted, relocation closer to where we both grew up. About two years ago my husband and I both came to terms with the realization that God does not have that in our immediate plan. Those days of realization were a rugged, rough, place in in our adventurous journey together. For that reason I was not sure how to pray for my husband today. I shared this with my dear sweet mom, who in all of her wisdom suggested I pray that what ever God wills is what should happen. I also would like to pray for peace for him, what ever the outcome.
When he comes home today may I pray with him to help lift the weight of any stress he may have and reassure him that God's Will shall prevail.
Dear God,
Please bless my husband today so that he may become the man You created him to be. You know how hard he has worked and the dedication he has put into his job. You have given him the strength and endurance for hard work and also the fairness and kindness to lead others well. May Your Will in this time of transition prevail and may we have peace with the outcome. In Jesus Name, Amen.
2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
For the first ten years of my marriage my husbands career has been a place where I have often prayed for what I wanted, relocation closer to where we both grew up. About two years ago my husband and I both came to terms with the realization that God does not have that in our immediate plan. Those days of realization were a rugged, rough, place in in our adventurous journey together. For that reason I was not sure how to pray for my husband today. I shared this with my dear sweet mom, who in all of her wisdom suggested I pray that what ever God wills is what should happen. I also would like to pray for peace for him, what ever the outcome.
When he comes home today may I pray with him to help lift the weight of any stress he may have and reassure him that God's Will shall prevail.
Dear God,
Please bless my husband today so that he may become the man You created him to be. You know how hard he has worked and the dedication he has put into his job. You have given him the strength and endurance for hard work and also the fairness and kindness to lead others well. May Your Will in this time of transition prevail and may we have peace with the outcome. In Jesus Name, Amen.
2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
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