Daily Devotional for December 15, 2022

Jeff is a friend of mine from the church.  He’s a mechanic and is repairing Shannon’s old 1965 Ford truck.  I bought it for her so she would stay married to me.

Yesterday, Jeff sent the following text message early in the morning.   I think he and I have the exact same challenge.

He wrote, “Good morning, need some guidance here….  Today is our 37^th wedding anniversary…. wife comes to breakfast wearing all black…. curious if I should tell you my favorite things so it will help you at my funeral…. or should I be concerned at all?  Just asking.”

I replied, “We have not set the date for your funeral.  I think you are okay.  If this changes, I will let you know.  Congratulations!”

Jeff wrote, “I’m sure it will be after your truck is fixed…. priorities….”

I replied, “Now you understand.”

While I am fairly confident Jeff’s marriage and mine are on pretty solid ground, I often wonder what makes a marriage work and after years of meeting with couples in distress, I think I have the answer.

The key to a successful marriage is putting God at the very center and placing the other person’s needs before your own.  In fact, that’s a good recipe for any relationship.  If the world operated that way, there would be no more war, anger, poverty, or bigotry.  

In Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, he said, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”  (Philippians 2:3-4)

Today, make the conscious decision to view others as precious children of God that carry heavy burdens and need help, compassion, and grace.  This is a truly Christian lens.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, give me a heart of compassion and grace.  Give me wisdom to meet the challenges of this new day.  Help me live out of your love in everything I say, think and do.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Jesus put the needs of others before his own.  That’s why he died.  He expects us to do the same.

Also, just for the record, the other reason both Jeff’s and my marriage are on solid ground is because both Suzanne and Shannon need glasses.  I hope they never figure that out.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins