There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage. Martin Luther
Last month, Russ and I got away for a few days to be refreshed and spend time devoted to our marriage and one another. Over these past weeks we’ve returned to some of our conversations again as we think about how to continue growing our marriage into the beautiful, God-honoring relationship we want it to be. We’re not willing to settle for a marriage that is “good enough.” We want a marriage that is glorious.
As in all of life, it is easy to get sloppy and fall into poor communication, leave things undone, leave other things unforgiven, and neglect to love our spouses more than we love ourselves. Our lives are full, and the past five years in particular, Russ and I have intensely focused our energy on the needs of our children. Now, as we find ourselves coming up for air, we can see how the lack of attention has allowed little piles of trash, dusty corners, and low walls to build up.
We’re doing some spring cleaning on our marriage – clearing out the rubbish, tearing down bricks that don’t belong, and looking a little more closely at our relationship. We’re seeking less efficiency and a little more joy. We’re being gentler with one another, and I am working harder at watching my tongue -which is prone to be sharp. Last weekend we went to a presceening of a movie together, while our normal default would have been for one of us to stay home and one to go because it is too hard to leave Dimples. We also took a walk, watched a movie, went to a party, stayed up too late – all for the joy of being together.
Marriage is long, friends, and we want ours to be overflowing with kindness toward one another. We want to laugh more, talk more, listen more, serve one another better, and see our love grow richer and deeper.
Let’s heave the trash out the door, sweep our floors, and dust away the cobwebs. Spring is coming and with it comes new life.
The Work of a Good Marriage | The Marriage Sustains Love
Lisa
![I love starting my mornings here in my thrift store chair with coffee and a stack of books. My routine is simple and life giving: Bible (She Reads Truth app is fantastic for reading plans), a few sentences in my One-Line a Day Journal (the only journal I've ever managed to keep), one line in my gratitude journal, prayer, a chapter (or less) in a book for my personal/spiritual growth. Then I organize my day in my planner, all before I turn on my computer. I try not to even look at my phone, other than my Bible app and texts (checking for texts from kids and family), before this is done, otherwise I'm quickly sucked into the vortex of social media, although it happens more often than I care to admit. Our world is so noisy, this little piece of my life is quiet. I'm reminded of who I am and whose I am; my priorities come more clearly into view - love God, love Russ, love my children, my family and friends, love the world. Do what God calls me to do with the gifts and resources he's given me. Live an open-hearted life. This all seems clearer when I start my mornings here. [I share this not because it's the right way to do it, but because there might be something here that speaks to you and is helpful. If so, take it. If not, that's fine. We learn so much from one another when we share our lives.]
#openhearted
#onethankfulmom
#couragedearheart #shereadstruth](http://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s320x320/sh0.08/e35/20214077_128237287780164_1933912572390539264_n.jpg "I love starting my mornings here in my thrift store chair with coffee and a stack of books. My routine is simple and life giving: Bible (She Reads Truth app is fantastic for reading plans), a few sentences in my One-Line a Day Journal (the only journal I've ever managed to keep), one line in my gratitude journal, prayer, a chapter (or less) in a book for my personal/spiritual growth. Then I organize my day in my planner, all before I turn on my computer. I try not to even look at my phone, other than my Bible app and texts (checking for texts from kids and family), before this is done, otherwise I'm quickly sucked into the vortex of social media, although it happens more often than I care to admit. Our world is so noisy, this little piece of my life is quiet. I'm reminded of who I am and whose I am; my priorities come more clearly into view - love God, love Russ, love my children, my family and friends, love the world. Do what God calls me to do with the gifts and resources he's given me. Live an open-hearted life. This all seems clearer when I start my mornings here. [I share this not because it's the right way to do it, but because there might be something here that speaks to you and is helpful. If so, take it. If not, that's fine. We learn so much from one another when we share our lives.]
#openhearted
#onethankfulmom
#couragedearheart #shereadstruth")
Good reminder — I especially like the idea of seeking less efficiency and more joy. Great post!
Thanks, Gwen. We tend to get so focused on tasks that we neglect to just enjoy being together. We're working on it!
Great reminder!
A GREAT post, Lisa. Thanks for sharing.
Laurel
Love this! So timely. Mark and I were talking about this very topic last night. Your comment: " We’re not willing to settle for a marriage that is “good enough.” We want a marriage that is glorious." Just hits the nail on the head.
I loved this. "Seeking less efficiency and more joy" is also an idea that really caught my eye. With many children in the home, including ones that have needs that can be time consuming and draining to meet – efficiency becomes a way of life! Gravitating toward the most efficient method of getting everyone taken care of is so easy to do – even at the expense of our own needs or those of our marriage being neglected.
Thank you for the inspiration to make more effort toward joy, and thank you for consistently sharing your lives with us. I can't count all that I have learned from you!
Tisha, I'm glad you understand what I was trying to say! I am so prone to be task-oriented because the workload is heavy, but then I miss out on just being with Russ and enjoying him. I love hearing from you.
Thanks, Cat. I really hate to think of settling for a marriage that isn't a great source of happiness and contentment in my life. Great to hear from you.