I’ve spent a lot of time this week thinking about love, and romance and all those sappy quotes that most of us love (even if in secret.)
You know, “All because two people fell in love.”
Or “If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you’ve made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand.”
How about “You know you truly love someone when everyday you meet is like the first time you fall in love.”
I did a search for “love quotes” and Google came up with an impressive 322,000,000 in o.16 sec.
Those quotes make most of us feel good, touching a spot in our hearts that’s typically not touched on a daily basis.
Can I tell you something?
Promise you won’t throw anything?
They are wrong.
Remember, you promised not to throw anything.
Those quotes, they are wrong.
I love those gushy, fuzzy, warm, feel-good moments just as much as the next gal.
But you know what I don’t like, (can I just be real for a moment?) I don’t like the expectation that these type of warm fuzzy moments create.
“All because two people fell in love.”
But you see, our lives, our marriages are not simply a mere product of two people falling in love.
All because two people stayed in love.
All because two people chose love.
All because two people died to self for love.
Those quotes, however, aren’t going to sell a greeting card and sure aren’t going to create a gushy feeling.
But those quotes, those are love, the real love. The love God has called us to live out. Daily.
The Imperfect Wives theme for 2012 is “Living Intentionally Free.”
Can I just tell you how loudly that has resonated with me?
Intentional. Done with purpose.
“All because two people were intentional in love.”
I want to be intentional in my daily relationship with my husband, how about you?
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23
We must daily take up our cross, following Him on this journey as an Imperfect Wife. Following Him at learning how to live intentionally. Following Him in dying to self.
Ladies, if we are going to have the type of relationship we desire with our husbands, we must be intentional about our daily choices, words, actions & decisions.
Intentional. Done with purpose.
Are you ready to live 2012 intentionally? Join us on the journey and see what God has in store for you and your marriage.
Picking up my cross,
Barb
photo courtesy of photostock @ freedigitalphotos.net
Love how you have us re-thinking the very statements so many lean on for encouragement. Made me think about some of the scriptures God has given me along my journey. Each one is in contrast to the statements you gave.. I love posts that challenge me to look at things from Gods perspective.. Great post, Barb!!
Amen and amen!
So true. To stay married for a lifetime you have to be intentional about it. There were times over our 31 years that could have ended our marriage, but we intentionally stayed together. Looking back over the years those are the time I remember the least. Choosing to follow God and His call on our lives has to be the best intentional thing we’ve done. By choosing God first we are more capable of intentionally loving each other.
Mrs. Kim, you have some great wisdom to share. I am so glad you have joined us in the Club. Please feel free to share your heart, especially when something is leaping in your spirit. 31 years is to be celebrated! So glad we get to share in your experiences from your trials, victories and understanding!
Cherie
Love this….very well said…“All because two people were intentional in love.”….this will be on my wall someday….soon.
Ladies, your comments bless & humble me. Thank you. God is more than amazing isn’t He? I love His challenges, while they are not always easy or convenient, He challenges us in amazing ways. Ways that if we surrender will take us from glory to glory & deeper into Him. I can’t say enough what Cherie & Rebecca creating that theme has done for me. One little word that has such a powerful meaning. It creates this drive in me to live this out, and I hope does the same for you all. Thank you ladies for sharing!