Remind Me

As we walk through this life, we experience mountaintops and valleys. Mountaintop experiences are awesome, but we learn the most from our valleys. During the difficulties it is so easy to get wrapped up in our troubles that we forget what God has already done for us. He has brought us through so much already. I wrote this poem for a friend who was experiencing a great valley. I wanted to share it with you. If you aren't in a low spot in life, it's inevitable that one will come. Lord, remind us of You...

Remind Me

Remind me, Lord, of who You are

and what You’ve done for me.

Please help me to remember now,

my pain is all I see.

Remind me how You came to earth,

an infant babe you were.

You walked among this broken world,

the pain You bore was sure.

Remind me of the ones who scorned,

who all rejected You.

The crown of thorns thrust on your head,

they killed the King of Jews.

Remind me how You rose again,

Your power over death.

You’re the one who knows

the pain I have, in depth.

Remind me of the times we’ve walked

through valleys deep and long.

You brought me through the other side,

my storms becoming calm.

Remind me that You’ve shared my pain,

You’ve walked it all before.

And someday You will take me home

with You forevermore.

And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit (Mark 13:11)

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you (John 14:26)

A Blessing Disguised In Misery

Valentine's Day did not happen as I had hoped this year. The low-key night that was planned turned disastrous; I was sad and angry. I experienced a miserable night. Feeling bad for me? Don't. It was an enormous turning point. The next day I was sickened by my behavior. I decided that I really needed to change. There were so many times I was terrible wife, so selfish and manipulative. I didn't really mean or want to be, but I was not proactive to not be. I was now ready to be. I discovered The Ultimate Marriage Vow. It's a 21-day challenge. I have completed the challenge and am now on day 4 of it again. Why stop now? I am also going to get the vow framed and hang it in the living room so that it can be a constant reminder. My husband has noticed a huge change in me. He told me I was more loving and more fun to be around. That we were soul-mates not roommates. I'm not saying that my marriage was bad but it needed lots of improvements. I did not tell my husband what I was doing and enlisted a dear friend as both a prayer and accountability partner. I asked her to pray for me and to ask me how I'm doing with it on a weekly basis. She even asked me yesterday how I'm doing with it. She knows that I am on round 2 and is keeping her commitment to me. Dan was touched that I even went so far as to enlist the help of a friend. She also suggested that I read Love and Respect. I am still in the midst of reading that but it has also helped immensely. These tools have helped me see the importance of respect toward my husband. We still jump on the "crazy cycle" once in a while but we've hardly fought in a month. We never fought about the big stuff, only the small stuff. I have learned to control myself on the small stuff and have eliminated most of the fighting. Changing my behavior has changed my husband's inadvertently. He is so much more affectionate and loving too. If your marriage isn't what you hoped it would be, it's not too late!! Be proactive!! Do something about it!!  

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. ~Romans 12:10 NLT

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. ~Collossians3:18-19 NLT