CAN WE GET A LITTLE HUMILITY? –  (Day 6 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

How did your week go?

[Love] is not arrogant or rude.  1 Corinthians 13:4b-5a ESV

What did you learn?

I leaned that slowing down is a good thing for me. I’m a bottom-liner with few words. That can come across as abrupt and rude. Taking the time to add a few words or ask a question is kind and thoughtful.

I’ve also spent some time talking to God about how we fight for worth and value.

Arrogance is about seeing yourself as having more worth and value than others. What is a right understanding of who we are in Him?

I like this scripture.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

Boasting is dumb. He’s the one who gets the glory for what He’s done. It has nothing to do with our works. No one is any better than another. God just deemed us all worthy of love and rescue.

Still giving that more thought so I can drop my need to prove my value and run from arrogance.

We went thirty-three hours without electricity (winter weather created a number of problems in our area).

I was pretty happy at how we handled it. We learn more each time this happens. (Yes, it will happen again. We live out past the boonies in Washington state and winters are rough.)

That said, I’m real proud of Paul for wrestling with nature to keep us warm with a bit of light.

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Image credits – couple fighting for value © pio3 / Adobe Stock, generator © Oleksandr / Adobe Stock
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NIX THE ENVY & BOASTING  –  (Day 6 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

How did your week go?

Love does not envy or boast.  1 Corinthians 16:4b ESV

I was so busy this week, I didn’t have time for envy and boasting. Kind of kidding, kind of not. 🙂

I have given this a bit of thought, though, in between moments of chaos. I watched myself and others move through life and I kept an eye out for envy and boasting.

A lot of it boiled down to not really knowing or loving ourselves. We struggle with wanting more or wanting to be seen as more, as though who we are and what we have is somehow not enough.

Still giving that some thought.

What did you learn about yourself? Your spouse? Your friends? Others? Where did you struggle? What successes did you have?

We have this humongous pole in our garden, for our Starlink dish. Our home is surrounded by tall pines, and the garden area is one of the few open areas where we can get a signal.

Well, we are people who believe in double duty. If we can use something in multiple ways, we go for it. The pole is around 12 feet tall and, turns out, it makes a great Christmas tree trunk as well. The grandkids are loving it. Who doesn’t want a giant lit up Christmas tree in your yard? 🙂

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Image credits – busy woman © olenachukhil / Adobe Stock, Christmas tree © Paul / Doing Marriage Well
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BE THANKFUL –  (Day 6 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

I hope y’all had a lovely holiday with family and friends.

I wanted to take a moment to thank you all.

You bless me with your desire to build your marriages. In a world that doesn’t value marriage that all fired much, it is a joy to see so many folks intentionally investing in their marriage relationship

Thank you also for your prayers and support of our ministries (my sweetie writes and does a podcast as well). You make it possible for us to have the time to create marriage-building resources and help couples in need.

May the rest of this holiday season be a joy for all of you and your respective sweeties.

Paul baked a mincemeat pie and a Basque pumpkin cheesecake.

Lots of yumminess to share over the next few days as we play games with family and friends.

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Image credits – thank you candle © Daniel Andrade / Unsplash, mincemeat pie and basque pumpkin cheesecake © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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DON’T GRUMBLE –  (Day 6 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

How did your week go?

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9 ESV

Grumble:  to murmur or complain under your breath against someone or something.

I did better. I caught several grumbles in the making and turned them around. I’m deeply grateful for my sweetie, family, and friends. They come with messes and the occasional spate of drama, but, oh, how rich my life is because of them.

Oh, and I’m practicing serving attitudes when it comes to bookkeeping and housework (I cleaned the toilet this morning without grumbling about little boys who can’t seem to hit the target). Certainly these are not my favorite activities, but it helps to see them as ways to serve those I love. I’m also choosing to be grateful for our income and a home to live in and share with others.

What did you learn this week? We’re you able to think/speak more positively to/about your spouse? Others? Were you able to reduce the grumbling and move into gratitude?

Tilly hates the snow, so she is spending way more time inside. Apparently we are very boring cat servants.

We got a package and, for fun, I tossed the packing paper at Tilly (we were losing patience with her). Thankfully, she spent the better part of the day playing with and sleeping under the paper.

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Image credits – grandma and grandson © JenkoAtaman / Adobe Stock, Tilly under cover © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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HOSPITABLE WELCOME –  (Day 6 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

Hospitality is both commanded and commended in the Bible.

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7 ESV

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9 ESV

Given that we’re all supposed to do it, I don’t think it should necessarily cost a bundle or require copious personal abilities. I figure it is mostly about heart attitudes and then we follow through with what the Lord has given us in time, money, and talent. We can, of course, practice and grow in our ability to welcome folks.

I’ve been thinking about this attitude applied toward my spouse.

Have you ever walked into a home and you were tempted to walk right back out? For whatever reason, the home did not make you feel comfortable or welcome. I don’t want that to ever be the case for my sweetie. I want him to  walk in the door and settle in with a big ahhhhh.

How did you do this week? What did you learn? What does your spouse need to feel more at home in your home?

My hubby is so stoked. All winter, he will get to enjoy jalapeños that we grew and canned ourselves.

I’m not a fan of the heat, but I love how pretty they look. 🙂

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Image credits – welcome sign © Robert Fotograf / Pixabay, canned  jalapeños © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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HARMONIZE –  (Day 6 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

Thoughts?

Live in harmony with one another. Romans 12:16a ESV

I spent less time judging people and more time meeting people where they were and loving them the best I could.

I tried very hard just to be myself and make my wishes known, simply and clearly.

It was an interesting exercise in being transparent and trying to understand others. When there were differences, solutions seemed to be a little easier to find.

What did you learn this week? Was there less friction in your life? In your marriage?

Welcome to the world, baby quail!

First one out! Yes, they look wet and messy when they first appear, but soon enough they turn into little puffballs on legs.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credits – caring couple © motortion / Adobe Stock, newly hatched quail © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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