A Valentine's Serendipity

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:9-11

When I was first invited to prayerfully consider being the "Contributing Author" on this terrific Titus 2 blog, my heart was humbly hushed and my initial reaction was "I am not qualified to write about marriage". As my husband and I sought the Lord together in prayer, God quieted my heart with His love and spoke gently to my heart. "I have qualified you." God's whispers just stilled my soul in silence before Him. God qualifies His children.

My husband and I have not "arrived" by any stretch. We have only been married 17 years. We certainly do not claim to be experts. We only claim to know our need for God's perfect love, truth and life. We have struggled, and it's been very painful at times. We have grown, and we taste the goodness of the Lord in our marriage regularly. We disagree and we get on each other's nerves at times, but we always come back to each other with hearts desiring to honor God and submit to Him. By His grace, may it always be so.

So what makes me think for even a second that I can share here about enjoying a healthy and vibrant Christian marriage? How God has qualified me is in the "what": My complete awareness of my moment-by-moment utter dependence on the Lord, on God's perfect and refreshing love, and on His Word. We serve a holy and gracious God. My husband is a precious gift to me from the Lord. Honestly, I don't want to mess with that. I love God and my husband. I desire to honor God and my husband.

Jim and I know the health of our marriage begins with our individual hearts yielded to God's Word and His Holy Spirit. It begins with surrender of ourselves to Him. As with anything in any of our lives, it is about LORDSHIP and LOVE. As we yield our hearts to Him, He brings beautiful fruit in our lives, marriage and family. He's the only way.

"You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word." Psalm 138:2

Pray together. Read God's Word together.

Husbands: Here's a beautiful way to "wow" your wife with love on Valentine's Day and every day -- start reading God's Word out loud with her. Perhaps open to Psalm 119 and read all about the treasure of God's Word. Or turn to 1 John and soak in the truth about God's perfect love. As you wash your wife in the water of God's Word regularly, amazing fruit will come bursting forth.

Wives: Pray for your husband. Thank him for working hard for your family. Tell him the ways you admire and respect him. Speak and act respectfully toward him always. Join him in an activity he enjoys. Make him his favorite meal as a surprise. Write him a card telling him how much you respect him. Again, pray for him.

LORDSHIP and LOVE.

Valentine's Day Weekend is a great time for a Serendipity! I love surprises and unexpected blessings. So, to celebrate Christian marriage and to encourage you to get in God's Word together, we are having a Valentine's Serendipity this weekend! Just leave a comment to let us know that you'd like to soak in God's Word with your spouse. Here is the serendipitous gift one of you will receive:

This devotional book for couples was inspired by the move Fireproof. Looking for a movie to rent for an at-home Valentine's date? This is a great choice! Snuggle up together and shower some love on each other.

Keep your feet to the fire of God's Word. Posture your heart in humility and reverence for Him.

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

(1 John 4:10 )

Happy Valentine's Day Weekend!