BEATITUDES OF MARRIAGE


Blessed are the husband and wife who continue to be affectionate,
considerate, and loving after the wedding bells have ceased ringing.

Blessed are the husband and wife who are as polite and courteous to one
another as they are to their friends.

Blessed are they who love their mates more than any other person in the
world, and who joyfully fulfill their marriage vow of a lifetime of fidelity
and mutual helpfulness to one another.

Blessed are they who attain parenthood, for children are a heritage of the
Lord.

Blessed are they who remember to thank God for their food before they
partake of it, and who set apart some time each day for the reading of the
Bible and for prayer.

Blessed are those mates who never speak loudly to one another, and who make
their home a place "where seldom is heard a discouraging word."

Blessed are the husband and wife who faithfully attend the worship service
of the church, and who work together in the church for the advancement of
Christ's kingdom.

Blessed are the husband and wife who can work out the problems of adjustment
without interference from relatives.

Blessed is the couple which has complete understanding about financial
matters, and have worked out a perfect partnership, with all money under the
control of both.

Blessed are the husband and wife who humbly dedicate their lives and their
homes to Christ, and who practice the teachings of Christ in the home by
being unselfish, loyal and loving.

-- Author Unknown

Confrontation
Week of 03/27/06

Here are three principles that outline a way to gently confront. The other person is far more apt to receive your comments when he or she hears them expressed through these three principles.

1. Learn to express your feelings through three loving attitudes: warmth, empathy, and sincerity. These are common words, but what do they mean? Warmth is the friendly acceptance of a person. Empathy is the ability to understand and identify with a person's feelings. Sincerity is showing a genuine concern for a person without changing your attitude toward him when circumstances change.

2. Learn to share your feelings when angry or irritated without using "you" statements and instead replacing them with "I feel" statements.

3. Learn to wait until your anger or feelings of irritability have subsided before you begin to discuss a sensitive issue.

No one likes to be criticized, regardless of how much truth lies behind the criticism. Whether, we are male or female, six or sixty, when someone corrects us, we automatically become defensive.

Yet honest communication is vital to any relationship. These two basic truths appear contradictory. How do you honestly tell the one you love about something you find displeasing or aggravating without prompting, that familiar, defensive glare or indifferent shrug?

Lord, help me express myself in such a way that my loved one knows deeply of my love and admiration.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1

© Copyright 2006 Smalley Relationship Center

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