Strong Family Ties!

Hello All:

I know that we are all keeping our eyes on the Lord, for this is where our help comes from. He supplies all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. He is our only source. I know that we are all experiencing the "pinch" at the pumps and increasing grocery cost, but we must all keep our faith/hope in the Lord. We must also use this time to grow closer together with our family.

If we allow it, these stuff economic times can put a strain on our bank accounts as well as our family (marriage relationship). Not only should we be thanking God that He supplies all our needs, but we should do our part in being smart about our spending during these times. Now is not the time to do "unnecessary shopping/unplanned shopping". We can't go out and spend money unnecessarily and expect God to magically fill our bank accounts. We have to be smart in our spending of money. We should sit down and make a list of things that are needed for the house, personal items and/or things for kids activities - and stick with the list. Husbands and wives should take this opportunity to do this together. Not only does in keep a control on the spending, but it will also keep the lines of communication open. Have you ever been where after you've asked each other "How was day?" that there's nothing else to talk about? This should not be in our marriages. We as Christians should have the best marriages, but in some cases we don't. Most cases you have two people in a marriage that are just doing their own thing and are not interacting with their spouse the way that they should. Quality time is just a "good idea" in some marriages. And with the increase in the price of just about everything (money issues), can paralyze an already crippled relationship. We should take this opportunity to sit down together and talk about how and what the money will be spent on. Set a time to go together as a family to purchase the things you've made on your list. Just in doing this, you've spent quality time together, you've talked with each other, and you're not just doing something for you - you've taken the time to do something that will benefit the entire family.

Everyday, not just sometimes, you should take the time to say something nice to the other. It doesn't matter if it's about a piece of clothing or about something they've done around the house, but you must say something nice to each other everyday. Even if you have to set an alarm in your cell phone everyday as a reminder, then do it. Eventually, you will remember to do it, and then in remembering to do it; you just begin to do it everyday. Marriage is work! And both parties have to "work" at it for it to work! Try to hold your tongue; the bad things you want to say but don't really mean. Encourage and build each other up with kind words and good deeds. Go out of your way to make your husband or wife feel special everyday. You could cook a favorite dish; or husbands, you go wash the car or have it washed. Either way, no matter what you do, you've done something to let the other know you were thinking about them. It will go along way in your relationship. Make sure you know how to recognise when your spouse does something, and thank them. So many times we take for granted what our spouse does for us. It can make them feel unappreciated, and look for appreciation elsewhere, and we don't want that. You'll have a better relationship for having done so. Remember to love each other and speak kind words of love everyday.

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!