In Honor of Valentine's Day...Love and Marriage Series

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In honor of Valentine's Day...I thought I might do a mini series on Love and Marriage. If you have been following and reading any of my blog post, you are probably very aware that I really like quotes and sayings...especially inspirational quotes and sayings...well...hold on tight...cause I'm going to be sharing some of my favs that I've found (believe me there are lots to be found out there)...and, I just might have a VERY SPECIAL treat at the end of the series...so feel free to come back if you enjoy!!!

I am going to sprinkle in a little bit of personal info and comments here and there...but some of the quotes simply speak for themselves. I will first start out by stating if this is your first visit...you can hop over to my "About Me" tabs section...I am married to my best friend, Michael...and, we just celebrated our fifth anniversary in December. I love being married to my best friend, but if I had to give only one piece of advice to someone that is about to get married it would be this:

We can't expect our loved one to be more, do more, love us more, forgive us more, etc. than we are willing to be, do, love, forgive them.  Granted there are some ebbs and flows in marriage...sometimes I might have to do more of the giving and sometimes my husband might have to do more of the giving....and vice versa.  Sometimes I might be doing more of the taking.  However, it should and will all even out in a healthy relationship.  "Be" the characteristics you want your partner to be.

This sounds simple...but, sometimes this is HARD...yes, I said it.  But, just as this says...we can't expect more than what we are willing to give.  Hollywood has a good way of putting very unrealistic expectations on both men and women...we, as Christian men and women, need to be open and honest with our spouse in our expectations and needs, and always remember to be willing to meet our spouses needs to the best of our abilities.  In addition, we have some great guidelines set forth in scripture:

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I think these are great rules to live by as a Christian couple.  In addition, another important principle is:

For most people (me included) forgiveness does not come easy...but, forgiveness can benefit both partners.  I have learned that I benefit from forgiveness as much or more than the person I am forgiving.  And, in order to have a successful marriage...one will have to learn the art of forgiveness...or both partners will suffer silently...brewing over past hurts and mistakes.  And, this isn't any way to live.  Don't we all want to be happy?

Finally, I will wrap up my post today with one of the most quoted scriptures regarding love as well as a small reflection. 

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Of course this quote holds great meaning to me (used in our wedding)...one day I plan to devote a whole blog post to this complete quote.  In the meantime...when you think about what it says, and REALLY think about how true it is...if both partners TRUELY promise to live by these premises (being kind, not envying, remembers no wrongs, never stops trusting, never quits, etc.) then..."Love never fails". 

Now, I will state a disclaimer: I do not have a pollyanna view on marriage.  I grew up in a single parent home, with a mother that struggled to make ends meet.  However, witnessing this struggle encouraged me to dig deeper in scripture on how I could improve myself so that "I" could prepare myself to be a better spouse...how I could prepare myself if/when that day should come. 

Do you know why?  I didn't want to struggle and suffer through the same struggles that I witnessed.  I feel, as young ladies....this is the best thing that one can do...be the best "you"...and the best "him" that loves the best "you" will find you.  Hope this makes sense?

In my next blog post...maybe I will share a little more about "our story"...as for now, I hope you enjoyed the beginning of my series on love and marriage (goes together like a horse and carriage...sorry, ever since I typed the title it's been going through my head!)...Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day...come back for more of the series....Much Love,

See my Blog Hop/Linky List party page in my tabs section and/or link below for all of the wonderful parties and blogs that I link up with each week!!!

http://chronicchristiancrafter.blogspot.com/p/blog-hopslinky-lists.html