Monday's Marriage Moment - I Didn't Realize What I Had!

as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue
2 Peter 1:3

I didn't realize what I had. My back tire has a slow leak, and for the past couple of weeks I have been putting air in it once a week (John is more than happy to do it for me, but I drive the truck and have more of an opportunity to do so - and I am a country girl, so I don't mind). We plan to buy a set of tires for the truck this week, and for a truck my size they are pretty expensive. Anyway, I was putting air in the tire last week, and just when I had finished I noticed something under my truck. Guess what it was? A tire! Not a spare tire or a used tire...an actual new tire for my truck secured under the trunk just waiting to be used.

I had been putting air in a old tire when I could have simply used the new tire. I didn't know what I had! How many of us have been providing life support to something old when we actually have something new already? Many of us have new clothes with tags on them hanging in our closets, but we keep wearing the same things. We have new opportunities, but we keep repeating the same patterns. We have scriptures that promise us newness, but we are content to hang on to the old.
I see the act of me pumping air into that tire as "dead works". Yeah, it would sustain me for a while, but it would need "life" breathed into it again. It would need refill after refill, and it really isn't that stable. Now, just to be clear, I'm not saying that your marriage or your husband is lifeless. I'm saying that some of our patterns are. Are you trying to repair and "make do" with a defective thing when God has given you something new.

For example, are you still trying to solve problems with your words? Are you still trying to "make" your husband act, be, or do certain things? Are you complaining, fussing, and fighting rather than using the "new" strategies God has given you. He has placed inside of you love, joy, and peace. Did you forget you had it? He has given you His Holy Spirit which comes with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Have you forgotten? You have power living on the inside of you. Do you realize that? You don't have to fight like others because God delights in fighting for you! You don't have to manipulate or control. Simply rely on God to show you the way and grant you peace.

And let me add this. It's often easy to forget the great things in your spouse because you see the issues. Don't miss these qualities. Write a list if you have to. Spend some time intently focusing on the things that drew you to them in the first place. So many people lose the 80% they have looking for the 20% they are missing. I encourage you today to realize what you have. Take inventory. It could save you lots of time and energy. Realize what you have!