Have you ever had an argument with yourself? That is caused by the three “ego states” in our soul having a disagreement. If we, being one person, have a difference of opinions with our self, imagine what happens when you add another person to the mix. There are now six “ego states” involved in decisions and in everyday life.
That makes it virtually impossible to live a day, a week, or a month without some sort of dispute in our marriage. There is nothing wrong with this conundrum, simply the inevitable interactions of life. We can expect to agree to disagree from time to time, rather than to insist on always getting along without any conflict at all.
Differences make life interesting, help us to expand our horizons, put color in the humdrum of everyday existence, and teach us to prefer one another and to cooperate with each other. Years of togetherness day-in and day-out may become boring or tempt us to take each other for granted.
We originally met through our similar circumstances, such as at work, through family, a church service, or a community event. Then we unite into a world of diverse interests and hobbies. A loving couple will take an interest in their mate’s pastimes, and either participate, encourage, or support each other’s pursuits.
We may even develop an aptitude in one another’s hobbies. We share in our growing family, in solving issues together in a joint effort of cooperation, and by developing compassion and patience toward differences. We make sacrifices that prove to each other that our love is available for the long-haul of a lifetime of togetherness.
Prayer:
Father God, Your Word is full of advice on melding together into one flesh in our marital relationship and in living as an example of Jesus and His Bride. Teach us how to exhibit unconditional love over a lifetime of sacrifices and tolerance, of enduring trials together and making one another stronger through it all. Help us to rely on each other’s strengths, to learn to accept and even appreciate our differences, to respect and honor our mate, and to actually love each other second only to You.
Our union with You is the solid foundation on which we base the rest of our life. Your agape love teaches us to anticipate each other’s needs and to meet them, to love our mate as we love our own self, to honor each other throughout the longevity of our history together, and to ask each other if there is any way we can serve our spouse during the hours of that day. You remind us that honest communication is imperative in any good marriage, and you encourage us to share with each other in love when we have a need, concern, or misgiving about something in our life together.
Thoughts for the Day:
The longevity of our relationship plays an important role in our love for our mate. Our love for God influences our love for our spouse, and it helps us to hear His Spirit’s guidance for each moment of our day together. We go our separate ways at times for our vocations, our children’s activities, our spiritual ministries, and our separate interests, but we do so with the blessing and support of our mate.
