There
are four types of human relationships: Independent, Codependent, Dependent, and
Interdependent. At times, our relationship with someone is a mixture of two or
more of these. The healthiest type, though, is an interdependent relationship.
In
an interdependent relationship we are capable of meeting our own needs without
an unhealthy expectation of having to wait for our spouse to meet our needs for
us. We share mutually fulfilling activities, but we are free to pursue our own
interests as well.
We
enjoy being together, and equally give to and take from the resources in our
marriage. We graciously serve one another. We form a budget together and discuss
any deviations one of us wants to make. We are capable of standing alone, but
we prefer each other's company.
Our
intimacy with one another grows with each passing year, but we are also
fulfilled with our personal life in Christ. We share the same values
financially, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We help each other to feel
safe, understood, respected and cherished.
If
one of us has a dysfunctional attitude or belief, we help one another to find
healing from the wounds of our past, and we do all in our power to keep from
increasing those wounds in each other by our own behavior.
This
requires us to be vulnerable with each other, and honest in relating our past
experiences to one another, as well as our current feelings and needs. We have
no desire to control our mate and our circumstances, because we are mutually
caring, pray together, and seek God first before making any decisions.
Prayer:
Father
God, teach us that our value has no dependence on our bank account, worldly
goods, or prestige. Help us not to allow our appearance, abilities, mental
capacity, etc. to change the way we view our self and one another. Remind us
that our worth comes from Christ in us, and not from our own accomplishments
(Ephesians 2:8-10).
Help
us to see that people will let us down, break their promises, make mistakes,
and change over the years because they are human; but we can love them
unconditionally with Your Agape love. Teach us that patience is a virtue, and
we can allow patience to do her prefect work in us, rather than to get stressed
about things in life that we cannot change. Our trust is in You, Lord, and we
live to serve You together because You are our life (Colossians 3:3-4) ????
Thought
for the Day:
Seeking
God's will for our life changes the choices that we make, helps us to have
faith in His faithfulness to meet our needs, and to unify us with our mate in
an intimate, interdependent relationship.
