SPOUSES ARE #1  (Day 2 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

In the scope of your marriage, what position have you given your spouse?

Are you intentional about spending time with them?

Do you give place to what they value (even if you think it’s a bit silly)?

Do you speak kindly and respectfully about them (even when they are not present)?

When you have good news, is your spouse the person you are most excited to share it with?

Do you know their dreams, their hopes, their desires?

Take the day and let God talk to you about the value you give your spouse and your marriage.

I was scrolling through the photos on my phone (boy howdy, do I need to do a cleanup) and came across this picture of Tilly as a kitten.

She was taking a nap on one of my grandsons (face blurred for his privacy). This may be my only baby picture of her.

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Image credits – loving couple © Alisa Dyson / Pixabay, Tilly as a kitten © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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BE STEADFAST  (Day 2 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

What were your thoughts about this week’s concept.

Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet, and all your ways will be steadfast and sure. Proverbs 4:26 AMP

As you look at steadfastness, how has it played out in your life?

Certainly some personality types are bit more steady, but in general it’s something we can all do.

Let’s take the day and talk to God about our ability to remain constant in loyalty, steadfast in our walk with God, and so forth.

Just ran into a cool product at the Dollar Tree. I want to make some hot dish trivets that look like chickens. I think this would make a great Plymoth Barred Rock. (Surprisingly polyester yarn can hold up to hot dishes. I have a friend who has a set and has been using them for years.)

If you just need a bit of yarn for a small project, they have different kinds of yarn with decent quality.

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Image credits – stable rock wall © meineresterampe / Pixabay, yarn © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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STOP THE SCOFFING  (Day 2 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

How was your day of considering the concept of scoffing?

Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go away; even strife and dishonor will cease. Proverbs 22:10 AMP

I easily notice the hard, angry scoffing. It’s the sarcasm or the little humorous words said in jest that I sometimes miss.

I used to go along with the funny-ha-ha mocking of someone. It was all in fun, right? No harm done.

I hated it when it was aimed at me and I finally figured out it was not doing anyone any good. Poking fun at someone even in jest can really do damage. I’m supposed to be building up others, not tearing them down.

My biggest trial right now is, what do you do when someone goes into scoffing mode? I don’t want to go along, but It may or may not be my job to say something. I’m hoping this week to talk more with God about that one.

How has scoffing, derisive or mocking speech, played out in your life?

Look!!! Look!!! Blue skies!!!

If it weren’t still so cold, I’d be outside enjoying the sunshine. We’re heading into more snow later this week.

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Image credits – mocking woman © Robin Higgins / Pixabay, blue skies © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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SAY/DO NOTHING  (Day 2 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

This week we’re exploring the wisdom to know when to speak/do and when not to.

Take the time today to think about action/inaction and speaking/not speaking in your life and marriage.

Where has silence or inaction been helpful? When has it been more hurtful? What made the difference?

Where have you seen a wise balance of between the two? Who does it well?

Make the day about examining your past, especially where it has played out in your marriage.

Temperatures in the low teens (Farenheit).  Brrrrr!

Tilly has declared herself a spoiled house cat.

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Image credits – pause & reflect © Uladzislau / Adobe Stock, Tilly the house cat © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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LET’S ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING  (Day 2 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

Today’s the day for a little introspection.

Little children, let us … love … in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18 ESV

How are you about taking action? Do you serve others well or expect others to do much of the work?

I mentioned previously that I got a bit lazy about serving others following a surgery and recuperation time. I had to recharge my “get up and do it” muscles. And I think there are times, I have expected others to do something that I easily could do myself without much thought.

Now, honestly, delegating can be a smart choice and periods of rest are a wise thing, but what I’m talking about is just the sit-back attitude where love doesn’t have expression.

If you are looking for a good resource, one of my favorite books (which I try to read each year) is QBQ by John G Miller. Its basic premise is that you can really change situations by what you are willing to do.

My youngest grandson is at a helpful stage in life. He wants to be involved in everything and Grandpa, of course, is his favorite partner in crime.

Yesterday, he showed up and announced he was the best at breaking open eggs, so Grandpa let him help with dinner. Thankfully, our grandson is also easily distractible, so Grandpa could discretely remove the bits of eggshell from the bowl. Love in action from both of them.

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Image credits – woman sitting back © Max Harlynking / Unsplash, eggs in a bowl © Alexander Fox | PlaNet Fox / Pixabay
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WORDS, WORDS, WORDS  (Day 2 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

Do you pay attention to the words you speak?

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 ESV

I do for the most part. However, I am less thoughtful when I’m tired, busy, or preoccupied.

I also tend to let my guard down with people I am close to. I have been “less edited” with them. I came to realize, at one point, that my loved ones deserved my best behavior, so that is changing. Yes, I want to speak the whole truth with them, but it still needs to be voiced kindly.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Proverbs 25:11 ESV

Take the day to talk to God about your words. How are you doing on your journey to speak apples of gold in a setting of silver? Where do you struggle?

Tilly has discovered our little loft.

We opened up a loft area as a place to house the electrical for a couple of banks of solar panels. Then realized we could box all that in and make the loft a nice place for the grandkids to play and have sleepovers. Hmmm. Will Tilly share?

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Image credits – preoccupied woman © estradaanton / Adobe Stock, Tilly in the loft © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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