Eating Sushi and Loving Dogs

Jul 25


Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. Song of Solomon 2:15 NIV

 

What one thing about your spouse would you like to change?  It could be anything from the way they look to the way they eat.  Maybe you want them to be neater, bolder, friendlier to the neighbors, or more accepting of your family.  Take a moment and think about it.  Now comes the hard part.  Pose that same question to your spouse about you.  Ask only when you actually have time to discuss it.  (Which probably means not in the car with little loud talking people in the backseat.  Take my word for it.  Not a good time.)

 

This was one of the many questions Alan and I had to answer when we were in training to be marriage mentors.  Alan said he would like for me to be more open about trying new things to eat, such as seafood and sushi.  He also wished I liked dogs.  Why couldn’t he have picked something simpler like cooking more often or ironing his clothes before they get hung in the closet.  Or maybe if he had wished for me to start checking his pockets before his pants go into the wash, we would be two cell phones richer. 

 

Nope, sushi and dogs.  I’m really trying to work on the dog thing.  It’s just that they are so hairy and smelly and saliva-y.  Now, here’s the rub.  I wanted to change Alan so that he would not want to eat weird things from the ocean or pine for four-legged friends.  Therein lies the problem.  Could we meet in the middle with fish sticks and a Webkinz stuffed dog?

 

All kidding aside, how well do you communicate with your spouse?  Communication is the key to any successful marriage.  I encourage you to take some time to host a survey.  Survey your marriage.  Find out the things that bother your spouse and share the things that bother you.  I don’t mean for you to nitpick your spouse.  There is nothing constructive about that.  I mean for you to take some time to find out how each of you feels about your marriage.  Make sure there are no little foxes trying to ruin the beautiful vineyard you have built together.  Also share the things your spouse does that really make you feel loved and valued. 

 

Have you taken time this week to write out a grocery list?  How about a to-do list?  Have you planned a vacation?  Perhaps you found some free time to read the newspaper or the newest best seller.  All of these things seem important, but that’s it – they are just things.  Things are not important, people are.  Make sure that you are investing in people this week, especially in the one who married you! 

 

Lord, may you bless the marriage of each person who reads this devotion.  Open lines of communication.  Draw them closer to you and closer as a couple.  Help them to remember what they love most about each other and give them the opportunity to share.  I know there are many out there watching their marriages crumble.  You and you alone have the power to revive a dying marriage.  I ask that you give hope to the hopeless.  Nothing is impossible with you.  Amen.  

 

You Might Also Like

  • Why 2nd Cup of Coffee? Jul 25 at 11:27 am

    At exactly 7:27 am, you made me laugh at loud. That is sinful–to cause one to choke on one’s morning coffee. The post was really good-hitting home, etc. Any married person in the galaxy could relate to this. For the record, I am not the dog-lover everyone thinks I am. I happen to love my little dog, and that’s about it. I think they are smelly and saliva-y, too. But still, I post about her regularly. Sorry for the treatise/comment.

  • Kimberly Jul 25 at 12:13 pm

    I love these last two posts on marriage. I have really been thinking a lot about wanting to be sure mine stays strong. That my man knows he is loved, respected, and so important to me. Thanks for the reminder that I have to truly WORK on my marriage and on keeping it healthy. 🙂

    Blessings to you as you try some sushi. hee hee I am SOOOOO thankful J is not an adventurous eater!!!!

  • BethAnne Jul 25 at 1:01 pm

    Dogs and Sushi? That’s it??? Out of all the things you could have said, dogs and sushi are your pet peeves? Oh girl, you have definitely found your soul mate….hahhaha I can say that because I have found mine too!

  • Darlene Jul 25 at 3:00 pm

    Communication is always the hardest for me when it comes to my husband. Funny, how I can talk to my girlfriend ( can you still say that?) and express how I feel..but when it comes to my husband I always get it mumbled up. It doesn’t come out he way I need him to hear it. I hope this makes sense. Anyway, he is now on the road M-F and we talk several times a day…..but this is an area we need to work on. Thanks for the encouragement and reminder!
    Blessings,
    Darlene

  • Laurie Ann Jul 25 at 3:36 pm

    Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration in spurring us on in communication. I love my husband so much, but I do wish he wasn’t so impatient. I’m scared to ask him what he’d like to see changed about me, but I think I’ll do that tonight. 🙂

  • Carmen Jul 25 at 7:30 pm

    saliva-y….did you have to tell the spell check to learn that one?

    Thanks for the reminder and the prayer! I’ll take that blessing! (just don’t ask me to eat calf fries)

  • Peggy Jul 25 at 10:28 pm

    Carol…is that precious little foxy dog yours? I’ll take the dog and leave the sushi! Good posts
    lately on husband/wife relationships…sorry I can’t respond about my lack therein!

    But again your humor…keeps us going! I’ve been reading just not commenting…or did I? I’ve been having trouble passing word verifications lately so eventually I just give up.

    I can’t really get in to much good communication via cellphone or email. Frankly, recently I just about given up on both. I’m always the one calling or writing. That somehow seems a bit one-sided til I happen to call at the perfect moment when we might exchange some conversation rather than this needs to be done…and from him, how and long mechanical explanations for simple repairs.
    I try but I’m calling less and writing more but at the moment that is a lot less…I write 7 to 1 response finally prompted by a call saying, “well at least write me”…But his big question last call: how many dogs you got still?

    Thanks for your visit and get well wish, i’m a bit better and starting to eat again but mostly bland…which is real hard in Mexico! Picante…everywhere..No, just kidding!Bless you!

  • Leah Jul 26 at 1:08 am

    Great thoughts!! It is kinda scary to think about asking what my husband would like for me to change about me. Not sure I’d have enough time in one day to listen!! Ha,ha.

    Leah

  • Amy Wyatt Jul 26 at 1:02 pm

    Oh my goodness… this was too funny. I think we’re about to find out way to much about dogs ourselves.

  • Kelley Jul 26 at 4:15 pm

    Oh Carol you have no idea how timely this message is! I have witnessed some creepy little foxes hanging around my place and you have given me some great ammunition and inspiration to hunt them down and knock them out! THANK YOU!!

  • Xandra@Heart-of-Service Jul 29 at 1:42 am

    I am totally with you on the sushi!

    Xandra

  • %d bloggers like this: