Monday, March 3, 2014

Letting Go Of Perfection. Pursuing my mission to be a submissive wife.

 "Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as it is fitting in the Lord."
Colossians 3:18

Wow.  I just used the S word.  Submit.

It's scary to turn over the authority to my husband.  We spent the first nine years of marriage living our own lives.  There wasn't a lot of communication, discussion, or feedback.  As he struggled with depression, I made most of the decisions.

Things made a dramatic turn for the better just over three years ago.  Although I'm not sure what the exact trigger was, I know I can give God the credit for taking us to that point and the progress we have both made since.


I want a great marriage.

 I want it for our children.  I want it for my husband.  I want it for myself.

Most of all, I know God wants it.  


So, how do I get a great marriage?

Here are some things I tried in the first nine years of marriage.


  1. Make a list of all the things we need to do to make our marriage stronger.  Provide my husband with a laminated copy.
  2. Drag my unwilling husband to a marriage retreat.  Have a miserable time and then be grumpy about it.
  3. Talk to anyone who will listen about how awful things are.  Ask for their advice.
  4. Read every single marriage book out there and "suggest" that my husband read them as well.
  5. Talk until I am blue in the face in the hopes that he will finally understand what I am saying.
Needless to say, these things did not improve our situation.  In fact, I'm positive they made things worse.





In order to journey towards a great marriage, I have to allow God to change me.


I pray for my husband as a man of God, as a husband and as a father.

I pray that I will be the wife that God wants me to be.  The wife my husband most needs.

I try to soften my spirit when it comes to our relationship.

I try to speak lovingly and respectfully about him at all times.

I try to speak respectfully to him and apologize when I realize I haven't.

I look for ways to serve him.

I attempt to be submissive.

I do not allow our children to speak ill of their father.

I watch my own words around my children when I am upset about something.

I seek forgiveness for my mistakes.

I ask for my husband's advice on things that I would normally not even think twice about.

I let my husband make some pretty big decisions.



I demand perfection from myself and it's hard to give myself grace as I stumble and fall.   As I challenge myself to be the woman, wife and mother that God wants me to be, I am learning to let go of this crazy notion that I can do it perfect.

I just need to let go, enjoy the journey and leave the rest to God.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

March Goals- March 2, 2014




Last months goals...

FEBRUARY 2014 GOALS

My prayer for the month of February...
God, help me to walk close to You, hear Your direction and be confident in You.

A LOVING FAMILY
Get up with husband on the days he works.
Date night with husband.
Have tea time with the boys.

A PEACEFUL HOME
Organize Bedroom and Laundry Room
Plan for spring garden.

A HEALTHIER PERSON
No eating after 7:00 p.m. and no fried foods.
Made it most of the month.
Read Psalms
Psalms 63-72
Pray for clarity in my choices and confidence in God's direction.
Pray for peace that I am where God wants me to be.
Memorize 1 Corinthians 10:23

ON TRACK WITH FINANCES
Track personal spending and any income I bring in.
Develop a pros and cons list regarding returning to work.

GIVING OF OURSELVES
Make muffins with the boys and take it to an elderly neighbor.
Invite a family to join us for a meal.


This month's goals...

MARCH 2014 Goals

We closed on our house this last week!  After 11 months of wondering what was going to happen and trying to put our trust in God's timing and grace, we now own a home.

My prayer for the month of March--
God, please help me to put love into each day, may they be filled with Your purpose and joy.





A Loving Family
This may be the hardest goal for me- Keep calm as we move.
(The world will not end if it doesn't get done when I think it needs to be done.)

A Peaceful Home
Organize, pack and move.
Clean new house.
Clean old house.
Paint 5 rooms in new house.

A Healthier Person
Limit extra sweets to 2x per week.
(My tablespoon of coffee creamer in the morning is NOT included in this.)
Try to start walking 30 min. 3x per week.
(Hard to do when the weather still gets below 0.  I'm a wimp when it comes to coldness.)
Continue Reading Psalms.

On Track with Finances
Work on building an emergency account.  AKA, don't spend everything we make.
Develop a budget for purchases for the new home.
Stay within budget.
Search for deals on things we need/want to buy.

Giving of Ourselves
Make and give thank you muffins to mortgage broker and realtor.
Take muffins to neighbor.

2014 Goals...

 http://seekhispurpose.blogspot.com/2013/12/2014-goals.html

February Marriage Goal, Day 22


From Friday- the last day of the February Marriage Goal.