Everyone needs a little lift...

Over the past few weeks, whether, it be in a church sermon, on the radio or in the current book I am reading; I have come across this scripture repeatedly. I saw it for the first time last month and it has had an affect on me every since. I thought it might make someone's day a little easier or give someone a new perspective.

"Therefore it if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent of one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped... He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him(Philippians 2:1-6; 8-9).

Sweet Southern Summertime

I absolutely love this time of year. Granted, this week has been extremely hot with very little rain which has not set well with my garden, but I still love the feeling of a hot sun. The only bad thing about this time of year is that while I spend very little time indoors, when I do, I want to create project after project. I literally, come up with my yearly to-do list in the months of May and June. I'm not sure what it is but I seem to be more interested in working around the house, indoors and outdoors while also more motivated to create new decor in our home.

I recently found a website/blog that I have fallen in love with and this stay at home/yet working mom has inspired me in so many ways.

http://jonesdesigncompany.com/

So... my next 2 projects are our laundry closet and kitchen nook....

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As we approach our one year anniversary, I have been looking back on this first year and determining my big lessons learned. Something that I remember talking with Casey about repeatedly, was having a 50-50 marriage. I wanted a partnership; a marriage where everything was split down the middle. Whether it be yard work, house work, cooking, laundry, errands; the list goes on and on. However, as our marriage got rolling, I began tweeking little things. I started to feel bad that my husband was working 14 hour days, Tuesday through Saturday in the fall, spring and summer while I worked three/12 hour shifts all week. So, I picked up extra on house work, laundry and cooking. I also felt bad for wanting Casey to go 50-50 when he was working the most and paying literally, all of our bills. I have a great job that I love and I do work 36 hours a week; however, the paycheck I bring home can only handle my gas and our groceries. So, over the past year I thought I had figured out how our marriage would work. When Casey was busy with work, I would pick up extra in all the areas I could; while when I was busier at work and he had time off in the winter, he would do the same for me. Little did I know, my philosophy was totally wrong.

Recently, our church began a series called Mr. & Mrs. Betterhalf. Immediately, Casey and I were estatic because we've been craving any type of relationship/marriage advice during this first year. We had so much support and assistance leading up to the wedding that we didn't know what to do when suddenly we "are" married and now have to tackle these issues for real. Throughout this series at church, we've gotten a lot of insight on how a relationship works and how a proper, Christian marriage is managed. During week 2 of our series, the Pastor's wife was talking about the relationship between husband and wife and the relationship between a Christian and God. She spoke about how in Christian marriages, we are required to give 100 percent all the time. It's not a 50-50 game. You can't give 50 one day and then expect your husband to pick up the other 50. As a Christian wife, I am required to be 100 percent in my marriage and in my relationship with Casey all the time. Whether it's been a busy week at work, or I am just a little lazy one day; I am suppose to give him 100 perecent, just as God intended for Christian marriages. At first, this was a little overwhelming. Do I have the energy to give 100 percent? What if he doesn't give 100 percent? Sounds like a lot of work all the time and I may not get 100 percent from him all the time.

Shortly after Holly Furtick spoke about giving 100 percent instead of 50-50; she talked about how in our relationships we try to gage whether or not someone else is doing what's right and wrong. You know exactly what I am talking about. The coworker who slacks off constantly and still gets paid the same amount; the family member whom only calls when they need something or the spouse whom would rather spend 2 hours infront of the television instead of spending that time with their children. We always find ways or reasons to decide when everyone else is making mistakes and rarely look at ourselves. Holly's way of putting it: "You be Jesus, Let God be God." We're not in control and we were not given the job to gage other's rights and wrongs. We're just asked to give 100 percent in our own lives and not to worry about everyone else. What makes you think that while God is working in you, he won't work in your spouse?

So, one of the biggest lessons I have learned over the past eleven months is that even though I thought 50-50 was the best way for us to run our marriage, it's much better for both of us to commit to 100 percent. Of course, we'll have times of trial and situations where it will be harder than others, but I would much rather say at the end of the day that I gave it my all, 100 percent all the time.