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