We were just back from our honeymoon when I made the mistake of using my husband’s toothpaste.  I thought we could share everything…toothpaste included.  But who knew there were different ways to get toothpaste from a tube?  All you neat people – are thinking – of course, there is a right way and a wrong way to squeeze toothpaste from a tube.  People like me — think if feels good to grab the middle of a tube and squish it where it has never been squished before.  Mike has a system for getting the Colgate on his brush.  He starts at the bottom and strategically squeezes a little at time keeping a smooth tube at all times.   To save our marriage… we decided we would never share toothpaste.

Flash forward 25 years and we are on an anniversary getaway to Washington, D.C.  Mike wants to walk through the city carefully viewing each monument and reading all the displays in the museums. I want to jump on the trolley with the guide who will tell me the highlights.

Toothpaste and Trolley cars… the differences are many. With all those differences, we still make a good team. I admire that Mike is calculated and dependable.  I am so thankful for this man who loves Jesus.  He is a man who lives by honor and justice – and he has faithfully loved and cared for our sons and me.   Besides, I think he appreciates the “variety” I bring to our life.

Romans 12:10 – 12
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor, giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.

That is a great word for the church and it is also a great recipe to a good marriage.  Maybe you and your husband are more alike than Mike and me… but even so, you still share in the differences in men and women.  Jesus is continually reminding me to “Get over yourself.” The more I do… the more there is to celebrate… year after year.

Father, thank you for your faithfulness in teaching me.  Help me to be a wife that loves, honors, give preference, is diligent, fervent, serves, rejoices in hope, shows patience in everything and prays continually.  Thank you for hearing and answering prayer.

Favorite Books on Marriage:  Love and Respect by Emerson E. Eggerichs – the DVD curriculum for this series is amazing.  For the wives only:  Intimate Issues by Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus and  Sacred Influence by Gary Thomas.