Marriage Monday

I just found this blog this morning and realized that I have spent too much time browsing other blogs. It's 10am and I haven't done my own blogging, not to mention eat breakfast yet.

I like the idea of this meme. I know that when you are in a rough spot in your marriage, that is the time to put into practice what you know to be true in your role as a wife. Not all marriages are perfect because there is no person that is perfect. The key is to communicate and compromise. I wish someone had told me this when I got married at nineteen!! After we both grew up, we had developed a wonderful marriage. It didn't just happen. We worked at it. Some days were hard and other days were absolute bliss.

I do have to add my opinion here a little. I am trying to teach my children about courtship. On another post, I will have to add some recommended books. I believe that dating numerous people before you marry sets you up for failure. For instance, you are dating this guy and he forgets to send you flowers on your two month anniversary, what do you do?? break up with the uncompassionate jerk, right?? We break up over every little meaningless thing. This is usually because we don't really love them anyway. But it does train you that when things do not go your way, call it quits and move on to greener pastures. Most teenagers are not mature enough to work out problems in relationships which is a good arguement that they shouldn't date yet either. But it does become habit of breaking up and moving on. So, fast forward several years, your now husband does something that hurts your feelings (**this can work the other way around too**) and next thing you know...divorce. I do have to add that there are valid reasons for divorce too (abuse most notably) so I am hopefully not misunderstood. I don't believe that you should divorce over every little thing and I also do not believe that you should live in a miserable marriage. But I do know that miserable marriages can be made better. With communication and lots of prayer.

Sorry to ramble, this is suppose to be a meme. So here it is:

• What is your definition of a traditional marriage? Do you consider yours to be traditional or contemporary?

I believe our marriage is definitely traditional. We were high school sweethearts, married young, have 5 beautiful children, he works hard to support us, I am a SAHM who homeschools (maybe that's a little untraditional??). We both love to spend time with our kids but need to spend some more time just to ourselves. We are also a Christian family and he is the spiritual head of the house (or herd, as I like to call it). We regularly attend church.

• What scriptures do you turn to (if any) when determining your role in your marriage?

of course, Proverbs 31 although that scripture is intimidating.

1 Corinthians 11:9 "Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man" (This has been revealed more to me as I am now reading Created To Be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl.)

1 Peter 3:1-2 "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won, by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear."

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up."

The baby is waking up so I have to hurry but I also love the one in Psalms about not let the sun go down upon your wrath and while we dated and wrote letters (while he was in Army), I signed Philipians 1:3 (this is your homework assignment - go look it up)

• In the sharing of duties in your home (childcare, work, house cleaning), are you and your husband satisfied with the way things get done? If not, how would you or he like it to change?

It works well because it is the only option. My husband is gone with work most of the time so it all rests with me. Where I do need to improve is delegating more to my kids!! I do have four kids capable so why am I heading off to reload the dishwasher now instead of reclining with a good book/movie and bonbons??!!