Busyness
comes from overly committing to too many activities and events at one time. We
find it hard to say, "No" to worthy causes, ministries and requests
for help. We see a need and automatically volunteer to meet that need. A worthy
attitude, but unwise at best.
When
our spouse has the same disposition, we end up as two ships passing in the
night. The solution is obvious: pray together, find out what God wants to
accomplish through us, our marriage and our family, and join Him. Communicating
daily is important in making this happen.
Sometimes,
I have to resort to emails in order to connect with my husband. He is so busy
with so many endeavors that I forget what I wanted to chat about when we do get
a few moments together and alone. Often, we are too busy to even enjoy a meal
together.
When
we plan our schedules with shared prayer, we can more intimately pray for one
another during our times apart; and show interest in each other's endeavors by
sending a quick inquiring text, email or phone call; also by tucking a love note
in a shirt pocket, purse or briefcase; or by making a point of chatting in
person or on the phone during lunchtime each day.
This
reminds each of us that we value one another and care about what is important
to both of us. Connecting through touch, conversation, shared glances from
across the room, playing a family game, planning couple time, and family
outings are all vitally important.
When
we are both home, we can snuggle on the couch, grab a quick kiss as we pass in
the kitchen, do a chore together, work on our laptops side-by-side in the
loveseat, hold hands in the retail store or push the cart together, liberally
use the words, "I love you only," etc. Looking for meaningful ways to
connect each day keeps our love alive.
Prayer:
Father
God, remind us not to allow the good things in life to become the enemies of
the best things. Give us Your direction, and help us to walk in Your Spirit,
rather than doing our own thing. Remind us to flirt with each other after
marriage, so we can withstand any temptation that comes from the devil's decoy
pursuing one or both of us.
We
want to live intentionally, rather than haphazardly, making the most of every
minute and situation we can to increase our intimacy physically, mentally,
emotionally and spiritually. Give us Your ideas on how to achieve this goal.
Remind us that sharing time alone together is vitally important to our unity in
marriage. Let us exalt You above all else in our life, and to live as a praise
to Your name.
Thought
for the Day:
Making
the decision to initiate the attitude of unconditional love in our marriage
will result in multiple blessings which have reoccurring benefits to both of us
throughout our life together; even when we disagree, finding a third
alternative that we can both agree on will keep the peace and help our love to
grow, rather than to diminish into a downward spiral of negative words and emotions.
