First Years of Marriage
My husband and I are honest enough to say that the first couple of years of our marriage were hard work…
Reference: v.24 “Most blessed of women be Jael,
the wife of Heber the Kenite,
most blessed of tent-dwelling women. (TNIV Bible)
Explore: My husband and I are honest enough to say that the first couple of years of our marriage were hard work… and I am honest enough to admit that it was mainly my doing! I did not realise it at the time, but when I first got married, I expected my husband to be all things. At times I wanted him to be strong and romantic but, at others, I wanted sympathetic and practical… and of course he should have been able to read my mind to know when I wanted each characteristic to be played out! I had not realised it, but I had this stereotype of a husband in my mind – probably concocted from many characters in the movies – and I became frustrated when my loving husband did not live up to my expectations. My husband is so amazing and we have learned to appreciate each other for who we are, but I had to accept him for who he was, not for who I wanted him to be… at any given time!
Application: There are many stereotypes put upon us. Some due to our gender and others because of the position we hold. And yet, we must not be confined to others expectations. Jael was expected to be caring and follow her husband’s wishes, and yet she stepped outside the box and ended up defeating a great enemy – something that a whole army of men had failed to do. When God calls us to a task, He identifies us as individual creations, not just another stereotypical disciple. He doesn’t box us to be a particular way but uses all our gifts and abilities to serve Him.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for seeing us for who we really are and not for who people expect us to be. Amen.
In what ways do you feel you break the stereotypical mould?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.
1 comment:
As we approach our 4yr anniversary (in just a matter of days) so much of what you say rings true my lovely. Such words give me the strength to appreciate what I have. I also remember the analogy you used on our wedding day and know that I want to keep topping up the glass that is my marriage.