I don't need to write a treatise on the problems and pressures marriage is facing in today's culture, both from within and without. Marriage is fragile, just like us, made of earthen vessels, easily broken when not protected. So how did this man blow his marriages? Did he cheat on his wife? Was he cruel? Nasty? It doesn't appear that he was any of those things. What really grabbed me was just how small and simple are the tiny fissures which can shatter the strongest of rocks from repeated freeze-thaw-freeze-thaw action. The damage isn't noticeable when the fissures are microscopic but when the rock shatters, it's too late then.
There is not one of us who can say we're perfect. Not one of us has the perfect spouse. We are all struggling through. Sometimes (as is my slightly over-dramatic tendency) I wonder to myself what if. What if John died? What would be the things I'd regret not having done for him. Believe me, the list is extensive and I don't think I'm all that bad as wives go. But I know those are the things that would play on my mind because time can't be relived, I'd be so sorry for not making his life nicer at those tiny moments. They are always small, but small is important. Then...what if I died...what would John be sorry about? Not in a babyish 'he'll be sorry then' way but what would he regret he hadn't done a bit better? What are the would haves, could haves, should haves? The list I've come up with in my macabre thoughts is a lot shorter than mine but there are things...and maybe the fact that the first thing on this man's post is also the first thing I have on my imaginary list is maybe why I read it to the end. Because it is long, and I know that people don't like to read long posts (so I'm sorry mine are always too long!)
Marriage can be shattered by huge destructive actions like adultery and addiction but as you will read, what breaks more marriages is the 'small stuff'. You know the phrase 'Don't sweat the small stuff' I've never really believed in that philosophy. Yes sweat the small stuff because it's the small stuff that counts. Small stuff that build up love and security, both in marriage and in every other sort of relationship. Sweat the small stuff...love the small stuff...because usually that's all we have to offer.
So anyway, when I got to the end of the two posts I spotted that he has mad them available as a printable pdf document. I'm linking it here and I'm going to ask you to join me in printing it off and sitting down with your spouse and have a read of it together. The fact that it's not your marriage you're reading about it will be easier to discuss what you can personally do together to make your marriage better. Every marriage can be improved, every person can be improved and I think the rewards to be reaped will be more than worth the effort. It's easier to recognise where we fail ourselves than to have another (your spouse) point it out to you. Husbands...make sure you read this too, the marriage isn't just the project of your wife...it's your responsibility to be the husband God has called you to be.
Here's the link to the printable version.
Good luck with that and have fun. Let me know what you think in the comments box. I really am disproportionately delighted when a comment appears.
Timely advice to a man who's been married for 21 years and is guilty of taking it for granted! You're doing a good thing Jennifer - God bless!
ReplyDeleteThank you Alistair!!
DeleteAbsolutely loved this and to be honest, thought it was going to be a bit corny, but hey, there are some great bits of advice there and he has managed to communicate his thoughts in such a way that is recognisable but not condescending - bravo to the man, I wish him well. Thanks for sharing Jennifer - wise counsel, as usual. Steph :-) xx
ReplyDeleteAt last! It worked! "Anonymous" is the way forward!!!!! Steph ;-) xx
ReplyDeleteLove it. Will print it. I must say I think I am far more guilty than my saint of a hubby of almost everything on the list...but I'll get him to read it and see if he has anything to add. Thanks. In today's world reaching 18 years of marriage as we have I think is an achievement but my parents have just passed their 51st anniversary so there is something to aspire to.
ReplyDelete51 years is a great achievement!
DeleteGreat article - thanks for sharing. Some definite things to keep in mind and some things that made me laugh. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha...it was only when my husband read it and pointed out some of the points I remembered the funny ones too!! I'd only skimmed over it the first time!
DeleteMy girlfriend and I were just discussing the other day how many people just stop trying and become roommates. Her BFF is doing just that and we brainstormed on how to pray for her and encourage her to get that sizzle back. We can get LOST in the little stuff...before we know it, yoga pants and messy ponytails are the uniform, aside from the weather we have NO idea what our spouse does all day or thinks about all day and suddenly you don't remember how long it's been like that.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately for us, it took a GIANT problem to shake us out of our stuff and choose to fight for our marriage. it was absolutely the "hard way" to go about it, but the fruit from the BIG issue has become the glue that holds our marriage together...communication and listening to each other's needs (spoken and unspoken)...paying attention to the little things and taking time to BE with each other. It's a tragedy that people don't fight, stop trying and would rather start over. Love ebbs and flows in intensity, for us it's the quiet joy in sharing your life and heart with that special person...good and bad.