A happy marriage does not just happen. Ok, maybe in the first few months, those little problems that will eventually surface stay under the rug and you live in bliss. But for the long haul, marriage takes work. I’m not the first person to say it, and I’m sure I will not be the last! What kind of work exactly?

Service. You must serve your husband. Now some of you are saying, “Yay!” But some of you are saying, “Are you kidding me?!?” I would just remind you to read this before you give up on the idea. (Your husband will hopefully agree that this service is a mutual act, but you are only responsible for your own actions.) Regardless of his choices, this service I speak of does not have to be a mundane thing. Paul insists that our exceeding, never-ending joy comes when it is “in the Lord”, not because we get to fill our lives with every selfish desire. You might know the verse that I’m referring to: “Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice.” When we look at this verse, we sometimes skip the reason for our rejoicing. Further down in the same passage (Philippians 4. I have several references to Philippians on this blog–can you tell what I have studied recently?), Paul proclaims that he can do all things through Christ who gives him strength. His emphasis in this chapter is that your circumstances should not dictate your actions or joy–the fact that you are in Christ should.

Now, if you are ready to serve your husband, you can read about our journey here. Find the subscribe button to the right and join us. We’d love to hear your ideas also!