All in the same time

I feel it would be ludicrous for me to say or even think that God's abilities are limited, or that something is impossible. Who am I to put God or his ability in a box? So, why then do we think that it could be wrong or impossible or even strange to have joy alongside heartache? Why do we doubt that possibility? In Deuteronomy 7:8 and 4:37 we see that Gods mighty power drove the Israelites out of Egypt. Why...because he loved them - its in black and white. The tower of Babel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego...Gods mighty power protected them. Let's think about the cross for a minute. Lets go back to the core of life. The example we are called to live by. The one story in the bible that many Christians and non-Christians know. The story where life begins..lets go to the cross. Jesus was crucified on a cross in front of family, friends, enemies, all of the town. How do you think those who loved Jesus felt? Do you think they cried? Do you think they hurt? Do you think their hearts ached? If you have ever lost anyone, then you easily know the answer to that question is yes. If you dont and need it in black and white then look to the scriptures. In Luke 2:35 Simeon rejoices with Mary and Joseph over their child but also tells Mary that along with her joy, her heart will also be pierced with a sword - causing anguish - heartache. We also see in Luke 1:46 that Mary sings a song to Elizabeth of great joy in what the Lord has done.  How do we look at the cross, at the crucifixion, and not see the heartache? How do we look at the cross, at the crucifixion, and not see joy? Mary, mother of Jesus experienced great heartache and great joy all at the same time. So why then would we think it so odd of others to experience heartache and joy simultaneously?

Commitment

For whatever reason, I've been reluctant to say these things in fear that I would hurt someone's feelings. All the while struggling with the same conviction that marriages these days are corrupt and nobody is doing anything about it. If we really want to see marriages transformed, it's not all that hard. I honestly believe it all stems from commitment and priorities.

So here goes nothing...my generation is one of the prettiest, most talented generations I know. We are all on time to get our hair cut, colored, and styled. Make it to our pedi appointment before we can wear open toed shoes. We attend home parties to purchase clothes, home accessories, and also use it as an excuse for another great girls night out with no husbands and kids. We are the first in line to sign our kids up for t-ball, karate, or get into the finest of preschools. We spend months planning birthday parties, hours searching pinterest for the cutest ideas that nobody has ever done that will WOW all the other moms. We go to the gym, sometimes to truly get into shape and be healthy, sometimes to socialize, and sometimes in an attempt to transform to the "shape" our society tells us is attractive. We shop designer catalogs and stores because we know people like our "labels" on our purses more than us, because thats what really matters, right? We buy organic food so people will see the organic items in our buggy as we check out and think we are "healthy" because that's the new fad now. We buy solid color t-shirts at gap rather than wal-mart because only poor people buy clothes at wal-mart and you never know who may see us as we're shopping, even though its the same quality as others. We cut out the size tags in our clothes, because you never know who may want to borrow a shirt and goodness they don't need to know what size I really am. We spend hundreds to thousands of dollars at hobby lobby and boutiques but cannot afford to pay for a marriage conference. We will bend over backwards to make it to bunco for another girls night out because its a kid-free and husband-free night. But we cannot make it to a marriage night at the church with our husbands, and free childcare, just cant make it to that. Then we turn around and are turning in prayer requests for our failing marriage. HELLO....are you a martian or a human? It does not take a rocket scientist to see the truth. Can you not see where the problem is? We spend more time spending, buying, designing, decorating, and trying to live up to the Jonses than we do investing in our marriage. Its obvious...our priorities are way out of wack. And I've got news for you...if I, as an outsider, can see all these things, how do you think our husbands feel? I think many of them look at our lives and see themselves on this priority list:

1. Kids

2. Friends

3. Things

4. Decorating

5. Personal Looks

6. Kids Activities

7. Husband

If our husbands continue to see themselves that low on the priority list, I'm telling you right now, the marriage will not work.