Speak his language!

To speak in someone's language - having their loyalty.

Acts of service

John Chapman, The Five Languages of Love

Daily

Inspire, encourage

We make a choice.  I choose to be faithful, be filled with faith in Him and God working in our relationship.

How do you respond to him?

Figure things out -- take time to think it out

Culture of life  -- it happens because you say "yes" to those things

I am building something of value!

You do not give up!  Do not give up.

Your faith -- it is enough.

A chance to grow in a new direction.

Understand things in a deeper way.

touch his life

capture

land into their lives  -- consistently

emotional

I want that!

You are there for me!

You give me what I need :)

Things then grow exponentially

Trust

Joy

Smiles

the pace of growth

Great things take time to grow

I help by waiting, guiding, suggesting, being good and prudent--wise!

Reese's Type Peanut Butter Bars and Marriage

How are Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars like a marriage?

It is the binding of two distincts to create an amazing union of one!  Isn't that why the sweet concoction has become so famous?  

Our recent anniversary made me think of the binding of husband and wife by God through their commitment to each other.  

It really is all about knowing what you want to make and then get the ingredients you need...  The output one gets is dependent on what one puts in... 

Take a simple recipe for chocolate peanut butter bars (think Reese Peanut Butter Cups).  I was so glad to see it was so easy!  

I did not even get involved in the making of them, and they were so delicious.  My husband gave a recipe to our sons, and they made them while I was out with our daughter.   

Ingredients

1 cup salted butter (melted)
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 (11 oz) bag milk chocolate chips

                             Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients, except chocolate chips in a medium sized bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
2. Pour peanut butter mixture into a 9 x 13 pan.
3. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave (at 50% power) for 1-2 minutes. Stir chocolate and pour over the peanut butter mixture. Spread chocolate with a spatula. To even out chocolate, tap pan on the counter.
4. Refrigerate bars for one hour. Cut while bars are still cool. Enjoy

What are some ingredients of a good marriage?
 

Being attentive!

Good listening skills to reach out to the spouse and good communication skills with self, spouse, family, others, and God, 

sense of humor (since things do not go as smoothly as we would like, and we need to be resilient and creative),

Laugh at it--let things fall into place!

and 

Recipes are so amazing because they are like a road map--they get one to a destination one wants to reach!  You see,  I get turned around quicker than I realize, so maps are always handy for me, Recipes are as well.  (His Word as well ;) )

I have been working this new year adding new recipes for dinner, adding in more personal prayers to abide in Him with joy and trust.

On the food front, I have added casseroles since they are easy to make ahead.  On the Trust-in-Him front, I have added a book on how Mary lived in God's Spirit at every moment.  I marvel that we are all invited to, as well.  She is the easy way to see the way of living it.

I want to plan ahead to sustain happiness and harmony in the marriage and family.   



How often have I not make something wonderful because I did not plan ahead, even though I had the ingredients. I just did not take the time.

No need to let that stop me--it can impel me to get on the track I want to be on!  Discord in my home is like a cake that has fallen, like the two of us on parallel tracks rather than uniting to share our strengths.  

I began this blog because I have grown as a person being married, but I need to consciously do it more so.

It is worth it!  Peace in the home: peanut butter and chocolate!
(Does that mean we are peanut butter and God is chocolate?  Husband is peanut butter, and I am chocolate?)

My problem has been wanting an easy recipe for a happy marriage where good times are easy without much effort.  This blog is my acknowledgement that that isn't how it works.  Ha, ha, I need to get better at mixing in those good ingredients so I get a final result that can be enjoyed not only by myself, but others!

Peace to you and yours!  Which actions have made your marriage work better?  I pray for kindness, thoughtfulness, sweetness in your marriage amidst the tasks of life :)