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Marriage 101

Our third and youngest daughter is getting married in just a few short weeks.  You would think, this being our third wedding to plan, that we would be really good at it!  Not so much... you see, each daughter is very different and what was important to one... not so much to another.

Some wise person once said if we spent as much money and time on the marriage as we do on the wedding day, now THAT would be a wise investment.  (Frank thinks he said it... not so sure! 😀)

When Frank and I first married, we had grandiose thoughts and plans about marriage - we loved each other madly!  We had listened to great advice from our parents, our families, and our friends.  We read great books and spent time with our pastor in premarital counseling.  Just a few:

1.  Don't ever go to bed mad.
2.  Be honest.
3.  Always say I love you.
4.  Don't sweat the small stuff.
5.  Be the first to say you are sorry.

All good words of helpful hints.  Frank was determined to treat me like a princess, so his first gallant attempt came with our morning coffee.   In order to profess his undying love for me, he vowed to bring me coffee every morning forever and ever.  On or about day 7, Frank came with my cup of coffee.  He gently said, "Honey, I will continue to bring you coffee every day, BUT today is the day you need to learn to drink your coffee like an adult... which I knew meant no more cream and sugar.  So, I learned, and Frank continued to bring me coffee for the first 25 years or so of our marriage.    I just realized the other day that our routine has changed.  Frank now makes coffee at night, then sets the timer for 5:30.  I'm up first, so coffee is ready and waiting.  When I head upstairs a little later, I carry 2 cups now... and he like french vanilla cream in his now.  ☕☕

Ephesians 5:21-33 gives us a clear picture of what our marriages should look like.  Paul speaks of husbands loving their wives as Christ loves the church, and that wives should submit to their husbands just as the church submits to Christ.  What a perfect picture of selfless love for us to follow in marriage.  Realizing it is impossible for us to even begin to offer love with such grace... impossible without the love of Christ through us, that is.

Don't sweat the small stuff... sure; Don't go to bed mad... great.

Christ first - knowing Him through His word... learning from scripture about how to treat others... especially our spouse.

Selflessness - thoughtfulness - kindness.  Always putting the needs of the other ahead of your own. 

Marriage 101- 201 - 301 - 401 - look straight to the word of God:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, 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 the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Coffee will be ready in a few hours... I'm serving.