Marriage

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Sitting here at Starbucks, it's interesting the conversations you can eavesdrop on. There's a young married couple two tables over. They have the cutest little girl. Blond wavy hair. Three or four years old.

The husband is on his wife's case. The only time he isn't criticizing her is when he's yelling at the girl. She's full of energy. Can't sit still. It annoys him.

The wife is unhappy. You can see it in the empty look in her eyes. Can't blame her. I would be too, if this guy was in my grill all day.

Someday, she'll have an affair. Someone will come along who treats her with kindness, tells her how nice she looks, makes her feel good about herself. Words of encouragement she longs to hear. And she'll fall head over heels. You can bet the farm.

Her husband will be viewed as the victim. After all, she is the one who had the affair. She's the one who was unfaithful, not him. And she will live with the shame.

I'd like to grab the guy by the throat and shake him. "Stick a sock in your mouth, Dude. Look what you're doing to your family."

I am convinced, one of the biggest needs we have is the need for encouragement. Life has a way of beating up on you. Hitting you below the belt. And you're left crying out, "Encourage me! Say something that will make me feel good about myself. Because right now, I'm feeling really cruddy."

A couple years ago, I promised myself I would encourage my wife every day. I would encourage my children every opportunity I got. No more cutting remarks. No backhanded verbal jabs. And I won't complain about other things. My job, my health, my finances. No one needs to hear how bad the president is doing. They don't need me complaining about the price of gas. It just isn't necessary.

Heed the words of Paul from 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

I challenge you. Make that commitment, as I did. Encourage your wife and children. Build them up every day. They are crying out for it.

(From Del's daily devotions - www.teachmedad.wordpress.com)

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