For Better or Worse

Luanne Glass, Director of Women't Ministry, taught the first week of a two part series on marriage. Marriage is one of those places in life guaranteed to show you your weak spots. It can also be a refuge, a safe place to flourish, learn, and grow.

She gave us some tools to use that will apply whether you have been married one year or fifty, and tools that are practical enough to apply to other relationships as well.

• Recognize that we can't change our husbands, only ourselves. Most conflict occurs because we are all selfish. We want what we want when we want it, and now there is an equal partner with the same feelings, but we don't want the same thing. What's a girl to do? Seek God. Seek to understand. Learn to put your own desires second.
• Remember that we are not the same. God has wired us differently, from the way we look to the way we think, process, and communicate. Men take up to 7 hours to process something that we can sort through in just a few minutes. That doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with them, but their gears shift differently. It's not a bad thing...can you imagine if both of us made decisions without a cooling off period, for good or bad scenarios?
• Build up your husband instead of tearing him down, especially in front of other people. It is not God-honoring or respectful to your husband to make him the butt of a joke with your friends.
• Pray for his strengths and your weaknesses. Keep your focus on the things you need to work on instead of his shortcomings. When you do focus on the positive, it reroutes the circuits in your brain and cuts down on the ugly nagging chatter that can fill your head when your frustrated. (Or is that just me...?)
• Being designated as his "helper" is not a secondary role. The Holy Spirit was given to us as a "helper", and is our connection to communication with God. Obviously being in a "helper" role is very important, so lean into it. You will be blessed.

Here are some outside links to marriage:

• We will have the book Sacred Influence for sale for $10 at the cart.
• Shelley Gallamore blogged about 10 Things About Marriage here.
• Elmbrook Church is hosting a Love and Respect Conference. Check out the details here.
• Luanne mentioned the boxes in men's brains. Here is the video on that:

The best gift you can give your kids is to love their dad and model that for them. It is not easy, but it is totally worth the effort. Next week Pastor Jon Glass, Luanne's husband, will join us for Mom Time, and give us some insight into the men's perspective.