New Beginnings

By: Donna Martin

The new school year is an exciting time.  My kids and I always had fun shopping for new school supplies and new clothes.  There is just something special about a new box of crayons.

The beginning of school is a fresh start for both teachers and students.  As a teacher, I was always eager to meet my new students and try out new ideas and teaching methods.  It was refreshing to get a new opportunity each year to replace activities that did not work in the past with new and fresh ideas.  It was good to start each new school year with a clean slate (no pun intended). 

We all need fresh starts from time to time.  Our all-knowing God in His greatness knew that we would make mistakes, get off track and would need to start fresh.   In His wisdom He divided time into day and night so that each day we get a fresh start.  Each day we can try to do and to be better than the day before.

Sometimes in marriage couples need a fresh start.  Not with a new spouse, but with each other.  Overtime people have a habit of taking each other and their marriage relationship for granted.  They forget to do the kind, considerate things that they did early in their relationship.  They may criticize and complain about each other instead of looking for the good qualities that each possesses.  They may have a secret list of wrongs that the other spouse has committed.  They may grow apart instead of growing closer.  Little annoyances may be more irritating than the use to be.

Lamentations 3:22-23 states, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  How reassuring to know that God’s love and compassion is new every morning, every day.  He is faithful to us no matter what we do.  We are not consumed by the trials we face when we put our trust in God’s faithfulness and love.

 This kind of love is the secret to a great marriage.  The faithful love of a wife can help her husband not be consumed by the trials and stresses of his job.  The listening ear of a husband can help his wife not be consumed by the day to day strain of caring for small children.  The assurance that a spouse’s love will never fail gives couples strength to make it through difficult times in their relationship.  Offering grace and forgiveness, encouragement and support is a practice that will always draw couples together.

Is it time for a fresh start in your marriage?  Plan a time when you and your spouse can sit down together where you will not be interrupted and talk about your relationship.  Find out if there is something that you can do to make your spouse feel more satisfied, more appreciated, more loved, more respected.  Talk about your dreams and your goals.  Discuss how you can make your home more peaceful and Christ centered.  Evaluate the way you communicate and resolve conflicts.  Ask for or offer forgiveness if needed.  Point out the things about each other that please you.  Pray and ask God to help you to build a marriage that will glorify Him and be a witness to others.

The Martins currently present “Happy Together” Marriage Enrichment Events for churches and organizations.  To schedule an event call Michael at 940-735-1515.  They are certified “Prepare/Enrich” Facilitators and are available to work with couples on an individual basis using the “Prepare/Enrich Assessment.”  They publish a weekly “Happy Together” Blog about family and marriage issues.  You can order copies of their new books Dancing With Death and 366 Tidbits We Have Learned in 14,610 Days of Marriage, read and subscribe to their “Happy Together” Blog by logging onto the Martin’s website at www.happytogethermarriage.com.