Marriage Mondays ~ Welcome Home!

Welcome to Marriage Mondays, where we’re always on the lookout for encouragement and wisdom for marriages that look more and more like what God intends. THAT can be quite a journey, can’t it? To give someone out there an infusion of encouragement, I am offering a giveaway this week to someone who leaves a comment on any of this week’s posts, and you can read the details here. This is also in honor of the “Ultimate Blog Party” hosted by 5minutesformom.com. The prize? A “Bless and Boost Your Bliss Box” with two excellent books by Lysa TerKeurst, a “PS I Love You” lotion, a set of fragrant tealight candles, and a beautiful purse sized “Wisdom” notepad … all meant to bless and boost your marriage.

Friday I got to do something very fun that I always look forward to … I got to pick Jeff up at the airport. He wasn’t really gone long, but I’m still always so excited to go get him. As I stood in the corridor near security and arrivals, I watched the people. One young woman stood still like a new daffodil waiting to be picked, until a tall, broad guy picked her up and dangled her from his neck for a long, happy time. Another woman strolled her sleeping toddler out of the gate to a waiting gaggle of women who huddled about the little traveler in hushed tones, hugging the young mom.

But then I enjoyed a beautiful, unrehearsed scene. A woman in a classic business suit complementing orange marigold colored hair came walking out of the arrival gate. As she emerged, a small girl with matching marigold hair came running with her arms outstretched from the opposite end of the airport, until finally the two collided and wrapped around each other with smiles so wide you could tell they weren’t thinking of the spectators instinctively smiling, too, and clapping inside. I think something inside of all of us wants to know that when we come home, there will be someone there to meet us with heart open wide and joy to embrace us.

Was I inspired to run down the arrival ramp????? No, when Jeff came down the ramp I did not take off running with my arms open wide. Maybe if I had marigold colored hair 😉 or maybe if Hallmark movie background music was playing in the airport. Besides, my nearly 13 yr old son would’ve died and hopped a flight to Bangkok if I did that … But watching the homecomings and having one of my own gave me cause to reflect on how welcome I make my husband feel when he comes home … daily. Or maybe I should say “when we are reunited” daily, since some days he gets home first. I want him to know that “Julie” means a warm embrace, a joyful heart, devoted attention, and welcome affection. God forbid that he should be met with coldness or indifference or distraction. Look in Revelation 19 here at the way the bride of Christ prepares herself (the church) for her reunion with her groom, Jesus. She makes herself inwardly and outwardly something precious to receive.

Sometimes I know I’ve failed, and he has come in to, “Hey, if you could take a number, pick up some laundry to fold, or send me an email about your day, I’ll be with you in a minute.” Sometimes he might even come in and wonder, “Who are you, and what did you do with my wife?” I know I need God’s help daily to be the wife my husband will really look forward to coming home to…. not just when he’s been away, but any day of the week.

Is your man eager to come home to you? What can you do today to send him the message that you are so glad to be with him when he walks through your door? If you can’t come up with anything, go ahead and open your arms and run down the sidewalk; it will at least get his attention! 😉

Before I close for Marriage Mondays today, I want to share about a book that I finished a little while ago, and it’s such an excellent resource for women; there is a companion book for husbands, as well. We are giving away several pairs of these books this Friday night at our “One Night” for couples event, so if you’re here in my hometown, I hope you’ll be there. “What a Husband Needs from His Wife” by Melanie Chitwood made me feel like I was sitting down with a wise friend and hearing her share God’s perspective on marriage, as learned through her own personal ups and downs. I love the way Melanie lays the foundation for a strong marriage by speaking to our personal relationship with God, and then she speaks to relational issues like attitudes and partnership and focusing and communication and intimacy. This is a fresh, personal, and biblical blend of insights for those who are seeking help to strengthen a marriage. I highly recommend Melanie’s book, and maybe the “man version” would be a great Father’s Day gift … my man took his in his carry-on. 😉

So what time is it now? If you are a wife, when will you be reunited with your hubby today? You’ve got to time to stick a marigold in your hair and put your running shoes on, or at least brush your teeth, pray for peace, smile because you’re blessed, and be the “welcome home” your guy longs for. I would guess he might even let you dangle from his neck…

Feel free to link a marriage related post below or use the new (including web address) button above, but please mention MM in your post and leave a little comment love. Blessings to you on this Marriage Monday!