Bonnie over at Faith Barista is hosting a linky party inviting everyone to write a letter to her younger self giving advice for the faith-journey ahead. I like a thought-provoking challenge so I am going to participate.
Here goes!
Dear Newlywed me,
I’m smiling at you standing there in your clothes that you made yourself, sitting at the sewing machine for hours. Of course, you also spent quite a bit of time in front of the TV ripping out the at- least- one- mistake you always make when you attempt a project with a thread and needle. You probably don’t even like the garment when you finished it, but you are wearing it anyway because you think you should.
I also want to tell you to quit hiding your arms! They are NOT fat. They are trim and tan and nothing to be embarrassed about.
And that goes for your thighs, too. Get some shorts and wear them!
Oh boy! That was a sidebar. Now on to the important stuff.
You have just married the man of your dreams and are ready to begin your life together. You will have adventures and sorrows, disagreements and reconciliations, highs and lows-that is just life, and there is no way around it.
In your early married years, many of your arguments will center around religion.
Both of you love Jesus, but you want to worship him in different churches, with different customs and some significant differences in doctrine. Oh honey, don’t turn every Saturday night and Sunday morning into a battleground!
Come at your differences using your Bible as a balm, not a sword. Sit down with one another and study the scriptures together looking for commonalities, not trying to prove your point and the other person wrong.
Those years of not being on the same page spiritually will be hard ones and a source of your major marital conflict, but they will also be a time of great growth in your personal walk with the Lord. You will be forced to spend time searching the scriptures making your faith your own, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach you.
Some of the things you were taught as a child you will say good-bye to.
And so will Brad.
You will learn to love the word through your struggle with it. I would never want you to miss out on that!
You will eventually stop fighting and start working together and BOTH of your eyes will be opened to truths you never knew before. It won’t be easy, and some people won’t like it. In fact, it will be downright painful at times.
However, walking together in Christ will become something that binds you closer together than ever before. It will be one of your greatest blessings.
So buckle in and get ready for the most important ride of your life!
Hugs,
Your Married-36-Years-Older-Self
Wouldn’t you like to hop over to Faith Barista and add your own letter to the group? If you do, please leave a comment, so I can be sure to read your story.
I know some couples in that particular stage and it is painful to see and I'm torn as to whether or not to do a little coaching…
best keep my mouth shut. God will refine them and the marriages.
Wow, after 20some years of marriage we are now conflicted about church. It's great to read your testimony and be reassured there will be good to come out of the struggle.
Thank you, thanking God for you, Beth
A great testimony! Our faith becomes real when we have to wrestle with it. I too have left behind teachings that were not Biblically sound.
What a beautiful and powerful testimony, Susan! I can't tell you how many women I know who struggle within a marriage to find a place both physically and in their hearts where they can worship with their spouse on board and fully committed. My husband and I had such a tough three years until thankfully, God led us to the church we call home now. Thank you so much for sharing and encouraging others with this glimpse of yourself! I hope your share it on my Destination: Inspiration linky party on Tuesday!
Hugs, Michelle Axton Kelly
http://teaganstravels.blogspot.com
What a wonderful letter! Thank you for your transparency. My husband and I had some, er, discussions about which church to attend, too, before the Lord led us to a place we love. I hope you have a chance to share what you've learned with newlyweds sometime. 🙂
This is such an encouraging post. Thank you for sharing.
"Come at your differences using your Bible as a balm, not a sword."
a beautiful principle for each of us in all of our relationships. thank you so much for sharing. . .
Wouldn't it have been good to have had a letter of encouragement to read along the way? I think we survive or succeed because of God's grace and that alone. Glad he's given it in abundance.
Hope your week is extraordinary!
What a beautiful, beautiful letter! I have been married for almost 23 years and I echo so much of what you said….not about church…..but to put aside the battleground and live in the moment 🙂
Thanks for blessing me today!
karianne
a beautiful letter xo
A wonderful letter.