Love is like an oak tree that, when nurtured and watered, takes root. We have storms that leave us feeling confused and miserable, but we put effort into seeing them through, because both Michael and I know that with each passing season those roots are growing beyond what our senses observe.
Like most young couples, we started out eager yet unprepared. I was a young bride believing that love was give and take, and that a 50/50 partnership was ideal. As long as I was willing to meet Michael halfway on everything, we’d be just fine. But experience soon taught me that unless I was willing to give 100 percent of myself to this marriage, without expectation of return, my gift of love was little more than a swap of emotions.
Love is a gift, and if we hand over a gift with one hand open while the other is closed, the gift is lost in exchange. Marriage isn’t a barter system, and love isn’t a currency.
The answer is because we aren't planting them for the sake of our husbands or for ourselves, we plant them for the sake of our Lord who loved us before we loved Him, and who gave His life freely while we were yet sinners. Love like that doesn't carry an expectation, but it does carry a hope.
I'd also like to ask you to link back here with the Titus 2sday code (below) so that other bloggers can join in too!
You are loved by an almighty God,
Like most young couples, we started out eager yet unprepared. I was a young bride believing that love was give and take, and that a 50/50 partnership was ideal. As long as I was willing to meet Michael halfway on everything, we’d be just fine. But experience soon taught me that unless I was willing to give 100 percent of myself to this marriage, without expectation of return, my gift of love was little more than a swap of emotions.
Love is a gift, and if we hand over a gift with one hand open while the other is closed, the gift is lost in exchange. Marriage isn’t a barter system, and love isn’t a currency.
- It’s exercising patience when your husband’s habits are grating on every one of your nerves
- It’s kindness when your partner is grumpy
- It’s being humble enough to lose an argument when you feel that you’re right
- It’s holding your temper when he says something in anger
- It’s protecting his reputation from your own tongue
- It’s trusting in his capabilities to handle a difficult task
- It’s standing strong in difficult times
The answer is because we aren't planting them for the sake of our husbands or for ourselves, we plant them for the sake of our Lord who loved us before we loved Him, and who gave His life freely while we were yet sinners. Love like that doesn't carry an expectation, but it does carry a hope.
Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.~ Ecclesiastes 11:6, NIV
Today and every Tuesday, I want to invite bloggers to link-up any blog posts that will encourage women to joyfully live out their roles as wives and keepers of their homes I'm looking for posts on marriage, parenting, housekeeping, recipes, etc.
All you have to do is enter the direct link from your post into the linky tool below!
I'd also like to ask you to link back here with the Titus 2sday code (below) so that other bloggers can join in too!
You are loved by an almighty God,
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