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July
22, 2006
The
Gift
Isn't
it interesting to watch your kids when they receive a gift?
At first they are thrilled with it. They play exclusively with
the new toy. But, soon the object becomes so familiar that it
loses its wonder and is often forgotten.
I
wish I could say that only our children are that way. But, I
have to admit that I'm right there with them at times. Twelve
years ago, God gave me a gift. He came wrapped in a tux, tall,
dark and handsome. His name is Pat. I treated him as my precious
treasure - I was thankful everyday for the gift. It energized
me to write him notes, cook dinner for him, spend time thinking
about him throughout my day. Little by little, however, (and
with each child added to our family) it was easy for me to put
him on the shelf and play with my new toys!
Proverbs
18:22 says, "He who finds a wife finds what is
good and receives favor from the Lord." I sometimes
wonder if my husband thinks I'm such a good thing to have found!
I can be a naggy, complaining, discouraging noise in his ears
at times. I have often been disappointed with myself as a wife.
But, does that mean that I'm doomed to be bad for my husband?
Absolutely not! Maybe I wasn't consistently "good"
to him yesterday, last month, or even from the beginning of
our marriage, but that doesn't mean that I can't be "good"
for him starting today. You've heard, "Today is the first
day of the rest of your life." Well, ladies, today is the
first day of the rest of your marriage.
But,
how do we get started? It's hard to change our habits. Well,
here's a tip! Ephesians 5:33 says: "…the
wife must respect her husband." Why? Because God
knows that our husbands flourish when we respect them and when
they feel respected, it ends up being good for the whole family.
Certainly in every marriage there are times that it is difficult
to be respectful. But, think about it - is being disrespectful
going to make things any better?
 Have
you been there? Have you forgotten that your husband is a gift?
Have you become so familiar with him that you've begun taking
him for granted? Get that toy out. Dust him off. Love on him.
Ask the Lord to show you how to be more respectful of him and
see what surprises your gift might have inside…
Father,
Thank you for the gift of our husbands. I pray that you would
make us good for our husbands. Help us respect them even when
we don't always understand them. Help us see the things he does
for our family rather than focusing on what he is not doing.
Remind us to zip our lips when disrespect and discouragement
are on our minds. I pray that today could be the start of something
great in our marriages. For your glory we pray these things
in Jesus name…Amen
"Mama
Drama"
1.
Laurie always says, "A thankful heart is rarely
discontent." If you catch yourself focusing on
what he is not doing, make yourself look for what he
does for your family. Write him a note to say thanks.
2.
Okay…this one is daring…but I'm guessing that
your husband will love it! Greet him with nothing but
a bow around your neck or atop your head! Be his gift
tonight! Whoo-Hoo!
3.
If you need a good love song, one of our favorites is,
"The Gift," by Jim Brickman.
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Mom...and
Loving It!
Conferences
PO Box 680
Whitesboro, TX 76273
1-888-952-MOMS
featuring
Bethany House authors,
Sharon Lovejoy Autry
& Laurie Lovejoy Hilliard
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