Talking Tuesday
Share your thoughts, feelings, and stories as well as respond to others regarding these questions:
What is your favorite inspirational quote related to relationships?
I’ll get us started …
Man, this is a tough one because I’ve read a lot of inspirational quotes (hence the Foundation Restoration Facebook page “Quote of the Day”). For me though, it all goes back to the perfect portrait of what it means to truly love someone. It’s not a feeling, not something you fall in and out of, but it’s something you do, which is why I have to go with this one …
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. –1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Many of us have heard or read this one so many times that we just kind of recite it mindlessly. When we actually read it though and ponder it, it’s a powerful description of what love is, takes, and aspires to. I never get tired of reading this passage and reminding myself of the kind of love I want and need for my husband!
Okay, it’s your turn!
Congratulations to our June Talking Tuesday Giveaway Winner … Tim Thurman! Thanks to everyone who has been participating in our weekly discussions; we value your thoughts and sharing!
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July 11th, 2012 at 10:57 am
I left a comment yesterday, but I guess I didn’t hit the submit button, so here goes again.
Personally I think 1 Corint 13: 4-8 is, or should be, the staple of relationships. If I were to choose just one scripture to base a relationship on, that would be my choice. It is important that we do not be hasty in the matters of the heart and to, as Erin says, check the log in our own eye, before trying to remove the splinter in our spouse’s eye. There is also another scripture that comes to my mind that can also be used in a relationship: Phillipians 4:7 ” And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” If we have this type of peace in our hearts, no matter what our spouse does or says, we will not be offended, we will take time to pray and seek God’s help, that peace helps us to act right even if our spouse acts wrong.
July 23rd, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Jerry, not sure what happened to your comment, but I’m glad you re-posted it. Yes, I believe that 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is definitely foundational to relationships. That’s a great point with Philippians 4:7 because I think many of us excuse our behaviors by arguing they are merely a reaction to what our spouse did or didn’t do. The truth is that we are responsible for our own actions regardless of the circumstances that surround us. We need God’s divine peace to keep our hearts steady, true, and on the path of righteousness He’s called us to. Thanks for sharing!
July 10th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
My favorite is Proverbs 18:22 “He who finds a wife finds a good thing.”
That particular verse was a eye opener for me mainly because “a good thing” simply means a good thing. As a wife, I have to be the best help mate to my husband. I am to be a virtuous woman! I am to make my husband proud and thankful of who God has blessed him with and not disrespect or shame him. The arena of being “a good thing” to your husband ranges from your appearance to your character, to being a great lover, as well as mother, and etc.
July 23rd, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Striving For Oneness, thanks for sharing! I agree that as a wife, we want to bring honor and joy to our husband, which entails many facets. This verse is a reminder for men to recognize the blessing their wives are, and it’s also a call to women to live up to that honor and calling.
July 10th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Ashley, I too had a hard time choosing just one. I wanted to choose one that had meaning to me and also one that helped me along in my walk.
There is a verse that I like to think of as one of the bricks in our marriage’s foundation. 1 Corinthians 11:3 ” I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man the head of the woman, and God is the head of Christ.” Keeping this verse in my mind has at times brought me comfort knowing that Christ is the head of every man. Including my husband. This verse helped me to understand my role in the marriage and understand the importance of my submitting to him.
July 23rd, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Vicki, thanks for joining the conversation! I like the verse you shared because it is a reminder that while women are called to submission, it’s not without the man also being called to submission to God. That’s the crucial element that distinguishes that men are not to be ruthless dictators but rather loving leaders as they submit to the will of God. Thanks for sharing!
July 10th, 2012 at 10:09 am
The verse that comes to mind immediately for me is Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” NKJV This is big for me. When I was single and dating, my mindset even as a Christian was that it was all about me. When my husband and I were seriously dating, I quickly learned that I had it all wrong. Our pre-marital counselor and pastor friend reminded me of that as well – that I must love my husband MORE than myself. I’ll admit that my flesh was still telling me otherwise. But as I searched my heart and seeked God regarding my relationship, He made it clear in Philippians 2:3. This verse inspires me to consider my husband, to honor and to love him above myself. It’s been rewarding when I keep this mindset & live by this principle daily.
July 10th, 2012 at 10:46 am
Blanca, that is one of my favorite verses, and I am SO glad that you shared about it! Many of us think relationships and marriage is about being fulfilled and having our needs met when in fact, as you said, it’s about serving our spouse and esteeming them higher than ourselves. This is definitely NOT easy and goes against most of our human/flesh inclinations, but how crucial it is to the success of a marriage. Thank you so much for sharing — such wisdom and insight!
July 10th, 2012 at 8:55 am
Hmm… this is a toughy. There are so many good ones. I especially like one that is a scripture but rings true for relationships. Get the log out of your own eye before trying to get the splinter out of your spouses. I have to catch myself often and evaluate the scenario keeping in mind that before I jump on his wrongdoing or offense, I should look at what I have done. Often I am embarrassed by what I find.
July 10th, 2012 at 10:44 am
Erin, thanks for kicking off this week’s conversation! I struggled to pick just one too, but I love the passage you are referencing! It’s so easy to see and point out everything that our spouse does wrong, missing our even bigger errors or faults. Many times I have to stop myself and ask, “What about me? What does this situation reveal about my weaknesses, defenses, and personality flaws.” It’s not easy to do, but how important it is! Great verse and great reminder!