The Ultimate Marriage Vow – Day 17

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Day 17 – To Celebrate Our Differences

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Today’s Scripture

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,  so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4-5, NIV)

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Today’s Marriage Vow – To Celebrate Our Differences

For the most part, our differences work in our favor. But like anyone else, we have days when they don’t. Days when we’re frustrated because we just don’t agree. Days when we’re so different the puzzle pieces don’t fit.

Author Dave Meurer writes, “A great marriage is not when the ‘perfect couple’ come together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.”

The key to acceptance is grace. We’re all a work in progress, aren’t we? The word progress goes hand in hand with growth, not perfection. It’s an onward motion to the goal ahead. It’s recognizing the fact that we’re every bit as imperfect as our husbands. It’s allowing them room to grow into the people they are, not the men we expect them to be. It’s learning to appreciate our differences, by celebrating the men they have become.  

What would life be without contrast? Without night and day? Without black and white? Without mountains and valleys? Without sweet and sour? Without treble and bass? It would all be rather dull, wouldn’t it? Celebrate the contrast you find in your marriage, as you view it through the lens of God’s glorious grace. 

Excerpt from The Ultimate Marriage Vow – Day 17 (affiliate link)

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Today’s Challenge

Look for contrast in your marriage, and celebrate the differences you find.

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Appreciate the Little Things

At the close of each day, jot down some appreciation, gratitude, or admiration. For example, you might want to record something that you appreciate about your husband: maybe there’s something you’re grateful for, or perhaps he went out of his way to do something special. Doing this exercise at the end of each day will help you to gain a deeper appreciation of the blessings at hand.

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Let’s Not Forget Prayer

The best plan of attack starts with a morning prayer. God helps us formulate a plan, and He helps us to achieve it.

David once wrote, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” (Psalm 5:3, KJV)

David knew what it took to slay a giant. He knew that his wisdom and strength rested on the power of God, and he drew on it daily.

And so I want to remind you to bring your marriage to prayer. Bring your husband to prayer. Bring your home to prayer. And, if you have children bring them to prayer. Lay them down at the feet of our Savior each and every morning asking God to bless and protect them. You won’t find better protection for your marriage, than that which only God can provide!

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The Ultimate Marriage Vow, available at Amazon.com (affiliate link)

Surrender Your Marriage to God…

Too many couples give up. They part ways before they experience the joy of growing together God’s way.

I’ve been there. I’ve smelled the stench of death in my own marriage. We’ve been to rock bottom where all hope was seemingly lost. But that wasn’t the end—something incredible happened when we surrendered our marriage to God. Winter turned to Spring, Spring turned into Summer, and here we are decades later thanking God for His life-saving grace.

And so, I’m asking, will you give me 21 days? That’s all I’m asking you for—3 weeks, 10 minutes a day, and a gentle heart that’s willing to yield. Give me 21 days to show you what God can do for your marriage. 21 days to remind you that marriage is a gift worth fighting for. 21 days to love on and pray for your husband. 21 days to a life filled with love, joy, and peace. 21 days to a life-long commitment.

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