10/26/2021
What a great conversation we had last month on the last “Love Seat!” When I first got my license, my father bought me a car! I was so excited to get behind the wheel of this shiny new Buick! I washed the car every weekend and shined the tires. I was careful about making sure that no paint was chipping and that the chrome bumper and spokes on the wheels were always catching the light just right so that everyone could see that I really loved that car and was taking care of it. One day, as I was driving to school, I noticed a tiny light on the dashboard that looked like an engine……I didn’t know what that light meant and the car wasn’t driving any differently so I decided to ignore the tiny yellow light….I mean after all as long as the outside was clean and the chrome was shining I was good right? Well, as fate would have it, one day on my way home from school the car began to hesitate, then shake uncontrollably before finally it came to a complete stop in the middle of the street! I managed to get out and push the car into a nearby parking lot but all I could do was look with confusion at this car! I mean how in the world did this happen!?I washed the car every weekend, I shined the tires, the chrome was still shining……. how in the world could this be?? Then I remembered the tiny little yellow light…...The one I ignored that wasn’t important to me…...I pulled the manual out from the glove box and found this tiny little yellow light was called a “Check Engine” light. It’s designed to indicate to me something is wrong under the hood of the car that needs my immediate attention. I hadn't even considered the fact that even though the OUTSIDE Of the car was impeccable…...if I didn’t tend to the parts under the hood then the WHOLE car could breakdown! Many of us are treating our marriages the same way……in our current Instagram world we are cultivating marriages and relationships to only look good on the surface for a picture and a moment in time. Having regular check-ins with our spouses can keep us alert to the things beneath the surface that require our attention. Check ins are also an essential part of the kind of healthy communication that can be the difference between us having relationships that look as good on the inside as the outside or those that will leave us stranded on the side of the road. We encourage you to MAKE the time to have regular check-ins with your partner. Allow time for them to pour into you, encourage you, express some things they may find concerning or have questions about. Listen to your spouse, give them your undivided attention and really get to know each other during time that is not interrupted by the rest of the world. Share what you are learning, what God is teaching you, your dreams and goals, both as a couple and as individuals. Pray with and for each other and encourage each other in Christ. Don’t ignore the little signs….if you see something SAY SOMETHING! And always remember that you will always make time for the things that are important to you…..show your relationship how important it is by carving out time regularly to care for it! Love God, Love yourselves, Love your relationship, and we’ll see you next month on The Love Seat!
