New Beginnings

The trees are starting to blossom.  Schools are out or close to it.  Swimming pools are open.  All signs of June, and summer.  June has another tell tale sign: weddings.

Weddings are romantic, traditional, fun and a chance at new beginnings.  Two become one.  A cord of three strands that won't be broken.  New traditions, celebrations, and habits.  It's an exciting time, but it can also be frustrating, nerve wracking, wonderful and everything in between.

Weddings and marriage are the ultimate new beginning but I believe all new things bring about the same range of emotions.  A move, job change, family addition, any kind of transition takes us out of the box and puts us in a new place of faith.  Cliches like "Sink or swim", "Don't knock it til you tried it", or "You only fail when you fail to try" all apply to change.

This June I'm not getting married but I am facing a new beginning.  This is my last "Marriage: Striving for Oneness" column at Take Root and Write.   Transition abounds as our youngest is about to go to school full time this fall.  I feel God's call is for me to freelance and be a good steward of His gifts in ministry.  It's out of my comfort zone but I know what God starts, He finishes.  I leave this column with all the emotions and cliches new beginnings bring.

My prayer is that these last few months you've been challenged by the columns here.  Every relationship, especially marriage, goes one of two ways in all things: oneness or isolation.  It's easy to nurse the hurts, to throw our husband under the bus, to love other people and things more than our spouse.  Oneness makes a choice to do the right thing even if he doesn't notice or return the sentiment. It lets Your Heavenly Father know you signed on for a covenant, not a business agreement.  Oneness isn't a perfect marriage, it's a marriage full of grace and agape love.  The kind of love that says "I love you no matter what."

Although I'm leaving regular column writing with Take Root and Write, I plan to moderate the group at Christian Women Take Root, The Love Dare.  This is an ongoing challenge for ladies to work through the book at a pace God sets knowing others are encouraging you in a safe, Christian environment.  There are great discussions there and this is a wonderful place to re discover oneness, or perhaps find it for the first time in your marriage.  I invite you to check it out.

I pray as the romance of summer fades and chilly winds blow your way, you stand strong in your marriage.  The world will not be rooting for you.  In our throw away society, our peers would rather we seek change through a new spouse.  Marriage is a gift, and so is your spouse.  Unless there is an abusive or Biblical reason to leave, I pray you remember the principles exchanged here.  Cling to the truth that the Lord does not lead you around the fire, but through it.  Trials will happen in your marriage.  The praise is if you surrender to them, they will refine you and your marriage.  Awesome fruit awaits on the other side and God gets the glory.  It is sweet.

If you are looking for additional marriage resources, I recommend the following:

FamilyLife.com has daily devotions, simply romantic tips for both spouses on the newsletter, and newsletters. The entire website is amazing. I can't say enough about their marriage conferences. They can be pricey, but it's an investment to impact generations to come.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss' site and specifically, the 30 day husband challenge. Each day I received an e mail giving a suggestion on how to encourage your husband. This was one of the best and hardest things I've ever done. I really hope you check it out. Your marriage is worth it!

Crosswalk.com has a plethora of newsletters available, quick e mail advice, etc...I subscribe to loving actions, but there is so much here, I linked you to all the options. Takes thirty seconds for me to read, a lifetime to reap the blessings!

Again, The Love Dare challenge.  This is ongoing and not only has encouraging and insightful discussions, but a weekly chat Tuesday nights at 10 EST. 

Thanks for reading,  May oneness be yours!