Thoughts on marriage....

This Friday Marlon and I will be married for 11 years. 11 YEARS! For those of you who have been around since the days when nobody knew if we'd make it.....11 years!! Can I get a what what? So with that huge milestone coming up...and my marriage on my mind...I thought I'd share some thoughts about it.

1. Marriage is much, much harder than anyone ever told me. Spending everyday with someone, allowing them to see you at your worst, letting them into the most intimate parts of your heart. Not easy.

2. If you don't trust the person you are married to, then you'd better do something about that because you will never have peace if you don't.

3. If the person you are married to doesn't trust you, then you'd better do something about that because they will never have peace if you don't.

4. There is nothing better than waking up in his arms.

5. Your spouse will always fail you. They are human. You can't look to them to be your everything because you will be disappointed. Only God can fill that void, heal that hurt and comfort you in that way.

6. There is absolutely no point in arguing about things like clothes that don't make it to the hamper, a toilet seat left up or whose turn it is to let the dog out.

7. Your spouse is always more important than your kids. Period.

8. There may be times that you want to suffocate him with the pillow. You just don't.

9. Your spouse is not a mind reader. If you don't clearly explain what you need, how you are feeling, what your expectations are....don't expect them to know.

10. Your marriage can do a full 180 if you both would just focus on what the other person needs rather than what you aren't getting.

11. Love is not an emotion. There will be days that you don't feel like you are in love. That doesn't mean anything. Don't worry about whether or not you "feel" like you are in love. Do you love him? Does he love you? Then focus on that. Rest in that. Feelings are fleeting anyway.

12. The grass is never greener on the other side. If it is...it's cause it's full of manure.

13. Satan would love to see your marriage fail. Don't let him trick you. Be very aware of spiritual warfare. Temptation. Pride. Anger. Judgement. Jealousy. Don't get tripped up on that stuff. When you feel it start to rise...look to Jesus.

14. Proverbs 31:10-12 "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.".... I want to be that wife. I want him to know, trust and believe that I am dedicated to our marriage, I am determined to stay in the will of God and I am devoted to him.

15. The more that I respect him as the leader of this home...the more I find him loving me just as I need to be loved. Nothing new. It's God's design. Read Ephesians 5:22-33.

16. Make sure that you pray for your spouse. In the same accord...make sure you have people praying for you as a couple.

Our marriage has been rocky. We are passionate people who do not always see eye to eye. We were so selfish and immature when we met. We didn't realize we were...lol...but we were. When I see how we've grown...how we've learned about and from each other...when I see what God has done...

I am married to an amazing man. He is not perfect. But he loves God. He follows fast after Jesus. And he loves me. What more could a girl ask for?

To God be the Glory!