Half full or half empty

Ok, I've always hated that analogy. I am a literal person and in my mind I wanted more detail, like did it start out full but you drank some, or did you just pour the last 1/2 of a glass of milk left in the container?? Just one of the quirky ways my mind operates!

This is all important, though. I awoke this morning to have a serious conversation with my hubby about an important decision we are trying to make in our lives. (At least I view it as important.) After 20 minutes with no common ground we stopped discussing it, realizing that he had to leave for work and I needed to get to my devotional time before the kids woke up. When I sat down for my devotion I had to admit being irritated at this man I am married to! I was nitpicking in my mind of how this and that are irritating to me about him. The Lord quickly intervened (he is so timely!) and brought to my mind the scripture in Tit 2:3 Let the aged women likewise be in reverent behavior, not slanderers, not enslaved by much wine, teachers of good; Tit 2:4 that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children. How did this verse play in here? Well, the fact that we have to be taught to love our husbands and children. So, I started to think of when Jesus was here on earth and I had a few ideas:

First, I envisioned my husband was one of the desciples and I was part of the crowd when Jesus was teaching them. About the time when we all became hungary and Jesus realized that the desciples didn't have any food for the crowd, I got mad at my husband for not thinking ahead and bringing ample food for all! Well, we all know that this is NOT how Jesus handled things. No, he showed unconditional love and instead of pointing out the desciple's faults He took the matter to His Father who blessed the food of one small boy and a miracle was performed.

Next, my husband was Thomas and I was hanging out with him when Jesus appeared, I was of course in awe at seeing Him and my husband was doubting! I wanted to chastise him for having the nerve to have doubted Jesus, the Messiah! But we know that this too was not how Jesus actually handled things. No, instead of pointing out his faults, Jesus lovingly allowed him to put his hand into his side and see that it was really Him. I believe that God was showing me that I have become very critical of my husband and how that is NOT unconditional love. I was then reminded of 1Co 13:4 Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or 1Co 13:5 rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do. 1Co 13:6 Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. 1Co 13:7 Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. 1Co 13:8 Love never fails!

Wow! I had unknowingly allowed the enemy of my soul to slowly, over time, cause me to lose site of this verse in my marriage. I had not been looking at the BILLIONS of good things that I love about my husband, I had focused on the very few negative things that I was dealing with today.

I am so glad that when we stray off of the path, God is always there to gently, lovingly lead us back. I am glad to say that I am purposely going to think on the good things about my husband and that is going to help me have unconditional love for him.

The most profound thing to me is that God hasn't "resolved" anything for me, He has just given me a different perspective on my husband. That has made all the difference in the world. That issue we were discussing really isn't so meaningful to me now. Just being able to spend time with my hubby this evening is what I'm focussing on.