A few years ago, Dave and I were taking a trip across California with the family, and we decided to take a short cut. Pretty soon we found ourselves in a remote area, and it was starting to get dark. That's when we found ourselves passing by an old, abandoned ghost town. You know, those creepy towns where the doors are swinging open on their own, and rickety chairs are rocking back and forth. We debated if we should turn around or keep going. If we kept going, would it take us where we didn't want to go? We have felt that way about our marriage, too. We have started to go down a road in our relationship where we get defensive, negative, and notice all the things we don't like about each other. If we stay on that negative road, our relationship begins to sag. It's during those not so pretty times that we have learned the key to changing directions. We stop what we are doing and share with each other what we are thankful for. We tell each other what we appreciate about each other, and it instantly breathes life back into our sagging marriage. Something beautiful happens when we pull out of our hearts the reason we married each other in the first place -what we love about each other. We find out how rich we really are when we are thankful. It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
TRUTH TO PONDER: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances...
DISCUSS TOGETHER: What happens when we focus more on the negative things about our spouse? Why do you think thankfulness breathes life into your marriage? What is it about your spouse that you love?
TRY THIS: Make a list of five things about your spouse you are thankful for. Share it with them.
コメント