I remember, a few years ago, when I was exacerbated with my husband. It seemed like everything he said or did was extremely annoying. I remember laughing out loud at my irritation as I thought, “Only God could have designed marriage. What better way to show us our need for Him than to take two sinners and join them into one flesh… for life!”
Communication, conflict resolution, intimacy, finances, date nights, raising children, careers, and managing a household can be overwhelming at times. A marriage, especially during certain seasons, is rarely easy and it is never, ever perfect! Yet, the challenge of making a marriage a thriving one is always outweighed by the blessings that come from a healthy, vibrant, and committed relationship!
Yet, Sometimes I grow lazy in my marriage.
Things will be going well and so I stop striving, stop communicating, and stop praying with the urgency I do when times are difficult. I don’t know why it is that during those seasons when things are going smoothly that I tend to coast in my marriage rather than dig in, work hard, and improve. I grow comfortable… which, over time, leads me to a dangerous place as a wife. I begin taking things for granted and forget that our marriage is a target for Satan and his schemes. What a vulnerable place to leave my marriage!!
God wants to gift us with an abundant life… a life lived to the fullest (John 10:10). I believe that same promise applies to our marriages. Satan (and all of his demons and temptations) comes only to steal and kill and destroy our marriages. Jesus Christ, on the other hand, came that our marriages may have life and have it to the full.
The hard work, long conversations, sacrifices, and prayers it takes to make a marriage great (even when things are going well) is always, always worth it!
click here for photo credit for picture number 2.
I am linking this post to Wedded Wednesday and Wifey Wednesday.
Beth says
I’ve been working on several of the posts in the Desperate Marriage Myth series that I’m doing at Messy Marriage and what you’re talking about here, Darby, is exactly the heartbeat of what this series is about. You really do have to work at anything that’s of worth. Why should we think marriage is any different? Great thoughts, my friend and thanks for linking this up with Wedded Wed!
darbyd says
Thank you for reading! And for all your hard work on your website! I love being a part of your community!
Mary says
This morning, for our early morning run with my daughter and girlfriends, we were discussing this very thing! My daughter and her husband (after 20 years of marriage) find themselves at the point that they have gotten “lazy” in their marriage. Everything is the other person’s fault, no one is willing to admit that they both need to work on it. She decided to do a 30 day wife challenge (herself! no one suggested it, neither did she read about it anywhere) As we all know….it is working like a charm! They are both happy to be home together, both are willing to help with everyday items / chores. They couldn’t be happier! I am proud of her! Thanks for reminding me that it doesn’t just happen to “you”, we ALL have to work on it!
darbyd says
Hi Mary! That is really awesome! I love that she decided to do it on her own and saw the results! Praise Him. And yes, working is a requirement for ALL. Thank you for sharing!