Thoughts from Proverbs 31

I was reading the devotional from Proverbs 31 today and it was so good for single and married women. Everything she talked about is what Michelle and I wore out our conversations with while were single together...now she just has to listen to me. :) I just thought I would blog a few that have become more real to me since Ken and I have been together.

"Getting married doesn't instantly make you selfless....it makes you realize how very selfish you can be at times." This is SO true!!! I haven't been in a relationship in a long time and this has been a very real realization! I had NO idea how selfish single-life had made me!!! I was able to be selfless in other areas of my life, but WOW did God get my attention in my selfish areas! I got thrown right out of my comfort zone!!! But I have to say that I am very thankful for that! I never want to just sit in comfort b/c its easy. I want to grow...I want to be more selfless...I want to be more like Christ!

"...if you find the "right one," you'll be happy, secure and fulfilled. I do think its good to have a list of standards that you look for in a spouse. However, it can never be with the expectation that if you find that special someone, he'll right all your wrongs and fill up all your insecurities. The problem with this thinking is the pressure it will eventually put on your spouse. To expect another person to make you feel happy, secure and fulfilled will leave you disappointed at best and disillusioned at worst. Even a great husband makes a very poor God." How I have so learned this...and not just in being with Ken. This has been a lesson I have been learning for a long time. To have all that expectation on someone to be EXACTLY what you want them to be (and think they should be) sets them up for failure EVERYDAY! And it leaves you feeling hurt and let down everyday! God is all we need! He is completely sufficient! I have to remind myself of that somedays. When we realize that and ACTUALLY live by that, if frees up our spouse/boyfriend to to just live. It also frees us to just live...and not worry about what he is going to do or say next (and then he won't feel like he is having to walk around on eggshells). How miserable!

It frees us to enjoy and love each other and rely on God for all the rest!