Marriage Monday - Marriage Can Be Messy

 There is something so pure and beautiful about a wedding. Everything is new, crisp, clean and at its best. The bride's dress has been purposefully chosen, correctly sized and finally able to be revealed in all its glory. The groom looks dashing in his tux, the attendants coordinate and everyone has hair and make up applied so they look their absolute best. 

Once the wedding ceremony has passed, true life begins. There is beauty in newness, a new home, new priorities, the freshness of the newlywed season. Eventually, all the newness rubs off and who we are and who we married becomes our reality! During this critical point, our vows and covenant to love one another hold us accountable to continue to build a life together. 

But as the newness wears off and the commitment takes hold, something beautiful happens. Our lives are now well merged into one, our daily plans and schedule are made with consideration of our mate. We have a soul mate who knows us better than anyone else and truly does life with us. 

But in that life, things can get messy. There is a tension that can build when our desires are not in alignment with their desires and compromise and sacrifice must come. But true love always finds a way and you never stop learning, growing or loving.

This weekend my sweet hubby assisted a family member with some yard work. While he was doing that, I enjoyed a church fellowship. Upon arriving home, it was a hot summer day and some pool time was on my agenda. Sunscreen was applied and bathing suit put on, I made him a sandwich, knowing he would soon arrive home. He walked in the door after unloading his lawn equipment and announced he had to go back to rake up the grass clippings. One of the things I love about him is that he does a complete and perfect job in whatever he does. I also knew he dislikes this task so I offered to go with him and help him and he accepted. 

Side by side in the heat, humidity and perspiration we worked. It was extremely hot and we used great caution to work in shifts and rest in the shade. We took turns doing the task and then would sit on the truck tailgate to cool off. We encouraged each other sharing the progress made and then began another section. Finally we finished, hot, sweaty with grass clinging to every part of us, and a reminder that love doesn't always look clean and pretty, but in those hard moments, often filled with sacrifice and choices to walk together, something beautiful is created. Messy, dirty and the satisfaction of a job well done - together. 

This morning a daily marriage came through my email:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Life is so busy some days that we forget what’s really important. We forget to slow down. We forget what it means to be married.

Remind us to value each other more than ourselves. Remind us to give generously to each other, as we’re giving our time, patience, understanding, and love.

Teach us to stop and listen, to lend a helping hand when we can, to be cheerful givers, and to reach out when we sense that the other one’s hurting.

Give us the wisdom to prioritize well, putting the needs of our spouse above that of our own.

Give us the mindset of Christ Who humbled Himself as a servant and gave up His life for ours.

In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Marriage may get messy sometimes, but may we use those times to draw us closer to each other and strengthen our love!