This is the last day of this series. As I have focused on this series, I have been able to put down some thoughts I have had about marriage and have challenged myself to do more for my husband. There are so many ways I can love and respect the one I love so much.
I just wanted to leave this series with a final thought. Sometimes I can be really hard on my husband. I have a lot of expectations for him. I expect him to be kind, helpful, and friendly. I expect him to work hard, to always do the right thing. I expect him to wake up early and always say the things I like to hear. I expect him to lead, parent, love, and serve. I expect a lot.
I expect all this from someone who is going through this life for the first time, experiencing so many of life’s challenges and obstacles as I do, with a willing heart but weak hands. I often think I’m such a nice person when I’m well rested, well fed, and have some quiet time. Those are in short supply here for us in this phase of life. I know he is the one I’m the hardest on. If I’m being completely honest, I give my children, my family, my friends a lot more grace then I give my husband. My expectations are high and most of the time he lives up to them. When in my eyes he doesn’t, it is sad to admit, but I really struggle.
Life is about changing and making things right. This is an area I would like to make right. I want grace and patience in my marriage. Love is kindness, suffering long, patience, respect, grace, mercy. Everything should be done in love and kindness. Marriage is no different. I have a lot to work on but I do know that love is key. I’m not saying we don’t work through difficult times or share our frustrations, I’m saying we should do it all with lots of love and a healthy dollop of grace.
Much of what I’m learning is that so much of this is really up to me. It is up to me to make the difference in my marriage. To make it amazing and all that I want it to be.
You can find the rest of the series here.
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