“GIVE GOD THANKS FOR YOUR SPOUSE”

"GIVE GOD THANKS FOR YOUR SPOUSE"

Monday, March 7th, 2022

SCRIPTURE:

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor…"

- Ecclesiastes 4:9 NIV

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

- Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV

"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

- Mark 10:9 NIV

THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

So let me begin by saying, “My Wife Is Awesome!!!” Yesterday, Jill joined me in church for worship. She does that every Sunday. Actually, most every Sunday, she not only comes to one church service but she comes to both worship services at each church. What a blessing!!! Ever since we have met, Jill has joined me in worship and has supported me all these years. It’s a blessing to see her in the pews week after week after week.

This past weekend, we officially had our first guests here for rest and renewal, and I couldn’t have pulled it off without Jill’s support. Our close friends started a homeless ministry about a year and a half ago, and we were blessed to have them visit. Jill made incredible meals, snacks, desserts. Jill was incredibly hospitable, social, and supportive of our new ministry providing a place of rest and renewal for our guests who have tirelessly been serving the Lord.

Also, late last night, after dinner and when we were all settling down having some family time, I had a pastoral care concern I needed to deal with. A church member brought their nephew by the house for prayer and holy conversation, which led to them wanting to share in the sacrament of Holy Communion on our front porch. I stepped inside for a quick moment and asked Jill to prepare communion for us, and sure enough, without hesitation, moments later she brought it outside for us. A true servant of Christ!

And this only describes the past twenty-four hours. Jill has been a blessing and a tremendous support year after year after year. And for her, I give God thanks!

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:

For over twenty years, my awesome wife has served alongside me, ministering to others, praying with and for others, visiting church members, leading bible studies, preaching in worship on occasion, sharing her heart, giving her time and endless energy to be a blessing not only to me but to others as well. Lord knows I wouldn’t be the pastor I am today without her.

I trust that for those of you that are married, your spouse has been a blessing and a support for you in ways that often may be forgotten. So, for those of you that are married, be encouraged to offer thanks and praise to your spouse. Do something nice for them, write them a note, speak words of affirmation and thanks. Show them personally (and if the Lord directs you), and publicly how much you appreciate them. Often clergy spouses go unrecognized and under-appreciated, yet they continue to serve whole-heartedly without reservation. Just as sure as the Lord has called you and I to ministry, Lord knows that for those whom are married, ministry involves real families and marriages too. The call to ministry, for those of us who are married, is a shared calling of mutual love, respect, worship, and service unto our Lord. Give God thanks for the blessing of your spouse today and return unto them God’s blessing as well.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank you for my spouse. Help me to never take them for granted. Forgive me for not recognizing the support that they have shown time and time again. Help me to be more aware of all that they do for our marriage, our family, and our ministry. Strengthen our marriage, strengthen our prayer time together, and renew us in our relationship with one another and most especially with You. Holy Spirit, empower each of us to continue to minister to one another and to ALL those whom You would send our way. Be glorified in each of our lives and in our marriage together. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. – Amen

RESOURCE & APPLICATION:

Give God thanks for your spouse today. Let them know how much you appreciate them. Take them out to dinner. Make them a hand-written card. Serve them expecting nothing in return. And make time to intentionally pray WITH and FOR them today, and give God thanks.

Book: Thirty-One Prayers for My Wife by Aaron & Jennifer Smith

Book: Thirty-One Prayers for My Husband by Jennifer Smith