I'm sharing this to share in the reality of new (and old I'm sure) relationships and the effort it takes to make them work. We are definitely learning this right now.
I have learned and been informed that I tend to run from my problems. Something that I'm trying not to do. I haven't mastered that yet. Running away from issues only inflames the problem. Michael and I were talking about this issue and the issues that run much deeper than just running. We were discussing that the deeper problem for most relationships is the lack of respect shown to the male spouse and the lack of love shown to the female spouse. I was reading this book coincidentally called, "Love and Respect." The wife is to RESPECT her husband no matter what. And the husband is to LOVE the wife no matter what. And if that is not happening, it results in a vicious cycle of a downward spiral of a non-respecting, non-loving relationship.
(Ephesians 5:22-25;28 "22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her... In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.")
Michael and I were talking about how he HAS to be the leader in our relationship and I HAVE to be the follower. I MUST respect him and he MUST love me.
Another issue that Ive noticed within my own thoughts about other couples is that everyone else has everything figured out already. "Other people dont have issues, just us." But that is simply not true. Michael said something tonight that I cant forget. Its simple yet so true. "We are who we are." Meaning we wont be another couple. They have their own issues and we have ours. No one is perfect. We are nowhere near a perfect couple. We are a one of a kind. We have our quirks and can be a little odd at times. But we love each other and have fun together. We are one flesh now; a couple for life! What a perfect time to start making things right; right between us and with Christ. I'm glad we had this talk today.
