Practicing Thankfulness in My Marriage

I started taking piano lessons at the age of 5 and from that age until I was almost 12 I practiced piano nearly everyday. I remember my mom "forcing me" to practice over and over. And so I obeyed - sometimes unwillingly (poor mom - she deserves a gold star!!!) - but I practiced. As a result there are a few songs I have committed to memory and every once in a while I sit at our piano and just go to town on these songs. My children dance around the room and we have great joy together as a family. I've played these songs for so long - my fingers just naturally hit the right notes without any thought or effort.

You know the saying "practice makes perfect" - well I believe this applies to marriage. What are you practicing in your marriage? Have you practiced bitterness, hurt feelings (which is really anger) and discord so long that you just naturally hit these notes or respond this way to every little thing your husband does wrong? Do you find it easy to complain?

If everyday you practice a thankful heart that is merry and joyful you will find hitting the notes of thankfulness easier and easier. It starts by forcing yourself to have a happy heart as Proverbs 15:13 says, "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit."NIV

Some people may say - "I'm not like you - bubbly and cheerful". And though I am FAR FAR FAR FAR from perfect I can say that "practice makes perfect" and God has been forcing me to practice thankfulness through difficult circumstances in my own marriage. For the last 2 years my husband has traveled extensively for his work. This has brought some unique challenges into our marriage but it has also made me extremely thankful when he is home to just have him there!!!

After Elizabeth Elliot had been a widow for 13 years her second husband proposed and she said "There is one thing I can give you that no woman on earth can outdo me in, and that's appreciation. The perspective of widowhood had taught me that.

Though marriage is "till death do us part" - there are no guarantees that we will have tomorrow together. Elizabeth Elliot was caught off guard when her young husband was murdered and she was left with a little toddler to raise on her own. Her appreciation and thankful heart was cultivated through this tragedy. So - let it not take a tragedy for us to realize how blessed we are and let's practice a thankful heart and make sure you tell your husband TODAY that you are thankful for him. The joy of the Lord is my strength!

Walk with the King!

Courtney

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/