Ephesians 5:20-22 (NKJV)
20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.[a]
Marriage—Christ and the Church
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
During our move I was feeling a little sad because I wanted to be involved in the painting and preparing the house. My husband took off work and worked endlessly to make the house move-in-ready. It’s not that I didn’t think that he could do it, there is still a part of me that not only wants to be involved (which is okay), but also wants to supervise to make sure everything is right (which is not okay). There is a spirit of perfection that comes in to sometimes bother me causing me not to be satisfied with what is going on around me. I want my way! Lord help me! I know that God’s way is always better than mine, but sometimes it takes me a minute to realize when I’m not in alignment.
Isaiah 55:8-9(NKJV)
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
So while my husband got to “play” in our new house, I had to stay at the old house trying to pack while tending to our five children. I know that this is honorable and important, but I didn’t feel like I was a part of transitioning to our new house. I am with the kids every day and with three toddlers it is almost impossible to be extra productive.
Despite my feelings, my husband never suggests that my work is less important or easier than his. In fact, he always tells people that my job is harder than his. He goes out of his way to let me know how he appreciates everything that I do.
Proverbs 31:30(NKJV)
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Marriage is a team. Each one is different. I am blessed to be able to stay home with my children. Although sometimes I feel a desire to get away into the “real world”, I know this time when they are young will go by quickly. God designed my marriage to work this way. He is teaching me new levels of trust and surrender every day. He is teaching me to be satisfied and find contentment in every situation. He is teaching me that I don’t have to be “in control” of every situation (we really don’t have control anyway, God does).
Philippians 4:11(NKJV)
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
If I didn’t stay home with the children, my husband wouldn’t be able to work the job that he loves (it’s too demanding). If my husband didn’t work the job that he has, it wouldn’t be possible (financially) for me to stay home. It works for us because God put us together as a team. As long as we stay in position and go over the playbook together (communication), then each move we make flows smoothly. If we get distracted and start trying to step into another position, then we drop the ball. Sometimes we feel like our position is not as important as the other, but that is just a lie that the enemy tells to keep us from working together. Know your position. Know your season. Time goes by quickly. When you stay in alignment with God’s plan, then surely you will prosper!
Father, we thank You for our marriage. We thank You that You put us together as a perfect team. Forgive us for pride and discontentment that keeps us from staying in position. Help us know our role and how You designed our marriage to flow. We want to be in alignment with the purpose that You have for our marriage. Deliver us from the things that keep our marriage from prospering. Grow us in new levels of love trust and faith. Make us examples of marriage that reflect You and Your church. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!