Handle With Care

Okay, I'm just going to come right out and say it, "I'm more affectionate towards my sweet little, adorable, beautiful, huggable, kissable, Yorkie, princess, can do no wrong, cute even when she does naughty naughty potty, most awesome doggie ever, than I am my husband." Can't tell from the adjectives, and lack of adjectives can you? I mean, what can I say, just look at that face!

The man I once referred to as my soul mate, hero, best friend, and the love of my life, has over time and circumstances become the one I am the hardest on. He is the one I am least patient with, least kind too, and expect the most out of. The Lord has revealed to me that I am selfish and full of pride where my husband is concerned. This man is the very person I am commanded to love, honor, and obey. He is a priceless gift from God, and I have not treated him that way in a very long time.

I received two pieces of profoundly great advice shortly after my husband and I were both saved. The first one came  from a kind, elderly, very godly man and pastor, before Sunday service one day. He said, "always treat your husband as if he is Jesus Himself." I nodded my head as if in agreement, and smiled sweetly all the while thinking to myself, "well, that would be so much easier if He actually was Jesus! I think I might have tried it once or twice, but unsuccessful in making it a lifestyle change :/

The next most valuable piece of advice I received was from a kind and very wise lady I had recently met at church. We were dining out for our first lunch date, getting to know one another a little bit. She told me that early on in her marriage, God told her, "you are not the Holy Spirit to your husband."  Oh man, I can't tell you how many times I've tried to be Him and tell my husband what's what. The more I did that, the more distant and repelled he became to me and the things of God. This is not the effect I was looking for, and it's definitely not helping the Lord any. Slowly but surely I am learning to hold my tongue as I hear those words in my head, "Lori, you are not the Holy Spirit."

It doesn't bring glory to the Lord when I'm not obeying what He has asked me to do. God has told me that my job is to love, honor, and obey my husband and He will be the One to instruct him. After all, He is God, not me! That is such great news, as He does a much better job of it! What a burden lifted that is!

So it all boils down to this, Jesus told me today, "bring Me your mess and I will fix it." So that is exactly what I am going to do, with you as my witness. :)

 "Lord, I admit to You that I have been selfish and prideful in my relationship with my husband. I humbly come before You and ask for Your forgiveness. I would also like to ask for Your divine help in removing every bit of pride and selfishness that keeps me from bringing the glory to Your beautiful Name that You so fully deserve. Lord, please remind me when I start to loose my temper, or speak unkindly to my husband, that I want to bring glory to You and the only way to do that is to fully obey what You have commanded of me. My husband is a precious gift to me, and I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful man in my life who loves me just the way I am. Please help me to handle him with great care. Thank You dear Lord for loving me enough to show me the error of my ways. Thank You for fixing the messes I make in life. In Your wonderful Name I pray Jesus. Amen

I like what Joyce Meyer says, "I'm not where I want to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be!" I'm so grateful for the promise that, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Hallelujah!

I'm very happy to say that my husband and I are about to celebrate our 10 year anniversary on the 23rd of this month. The exciting part about that is, now that we have God in our lives, our best years are ahead of us! Praise the Lord!!!


*What is the most helpful piece of advice you have ever received?*