Where I live, winter is struggling to give way to spring. I know the calendar says it is April, but apparently the weather is ignoring that fact small little detail. Finally, beautiful weather made its way into our lives yesterday. With all of our windows raised, the sweet spring air flowed continually through our house. My children forwent their afternoon nap in order to fully enjoy the outdoors. Everyone in our neighborhood had the same idea; our street was a buzz with activity. In the friendly dialogue we had with neighbors we all expressed the notion of our need to, “get out and enjoy the day.” Between the extended winter and the forecasted rain we were all treating the day as a special gift; a treasure not to be wasted. That mentality is common with the weather: the last beautiful days of autumn, the occasional break in the freezing temps of winter or stifling heat of summer, and the birth of spring all provide opportunities for us to make the most of the ideal weather outside.
I greatly enjoyed the fresh air yesterday. The warm breeze rejuvenated my mind and soul in countless ways. I considered myself to have been blessed by experiencing such a perfect afternoon.
Then it struck me, why don’t I enjoy my husband like I do a beautiful day?
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my husband, but not with the same urgency as beautiful day. Think about it, when you have one day, in the midst of months of dreariness, where the weather is ideal… you naturally relish in it. You cling to it. You don’t want to blink because you are capturing each second of the perfection. Even if only subconsciously, you treat the day as special.
Again I ask, why don’t I enjoy my husband like I do a beautiful day?
Why do I not soak up every minute that I get to be with my husband or relish each day that I am his wife? I love being “Mrs. Jason Dugger.” I love my husband. I love our life, but I don’t have the same urgency to consider each day of our life together as a special gift.
I think, for me, this is a somewhat spiritual problem. Scripture tells us not to boast about tomorrow. It reminds us that we do not know what a day may bring and that our lives are nothing more than a mist (Proverbs 27:1 and James 4:13-17). One reason I don’t enjoy my husband in the same way I enjoy a beautiful day is because, with him, I have a sense of security. The weather I view as momentary while I see my husband as constant. Security in our relationship is a good thing, but security that he will be alive for the next 90 years is unrealistic and opens the door for me to take my husband’s life for granted. Of course I am not suggesting that I imagine my husband’s death; I could, however, do a better job remembering that we are all mortal and no one is promised a tomorrow. Having that (slightly depressing yet healthy) perspective will help me to be more diligent about enjoying each day.
Another reason I delight in wonderful temperatures is because it makes the day more fun. It matters little if I’m pulling weeds, playing tag with the tots, or relaxing in the hammock… being outside makes everything more enjoyable. While I love being a wife – some days are the farthest from fun. Yet, again, this is a spiritual problem. I need to have the maturity to appreciate each day with my husband whether our time is fun or frustrating. Reality is, God doesn’t care too much about our happiness, but He is tremendously invested in our holiness. Ecclesiastes 12:13 states, “Now all has been heard;here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments,for this is the duty of all mankind.” Did you catch that?! The duty of every wife is to fear God and keep His commandments. For starters, this means submitting to our husbands, being patient, demonstrating self control, offering forgiveness, and dying to our carnal nature. Often times, these lessons are not always considered the fun parts of marriage. They are, however, exceedingly important. Making the choice to cherish each moment, even the challenging ones, will become easier if I remember that my goal in marriage is not to be happy or even have fun (although I believe, during certain seasons, you can have both), but to obey His commands.
Taking advantage of the beautiful spring day opened my eyes to the opportunities to enjoy my husband in a similar manner. I want to recognize that each day with my husband is a special gift; a treasure not to be wasted. I desire to be a wife who cherishes her time with her husband in good times and bad. I cannot boast about tomorrow, but the Lord has given me this day with my spouse – I will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).
Do you treat each day with your husband as a special gift; a treasure not to be wasted?
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