Are you there yet?

If we get past the fears and circumstances God uses to shape our character, what's next. Real Love! That's right, a love that carries us through the best life can offer. If you want that kind of love, you must do the following:

Live Beyond Yourself...You must move from your world to a struggling world to a spiritual world. The incredible part of this journey is that once God opens your heart and moves you beyond your world and your selfishness, you can never go back. This is a difficult step for each of us as human beings. However, each morning we have the awesome choice to get up and instead of life being about "me," it can be about spreading the love Jesus intended for us so that we can truly live beyond ourselves.

Overlook the Small Stuff...God tells us that in this world there will be pain and suffering and if we truly want to receive the glory on the other side, we must begin my living a more patient and compassionate life. Debbie and I often times stand amazed at the smallness of issues that bring couples to us for counseling. If only we could get them to grasp the blessings that abound in their lives, the small things would seem so menial in the grand scope of life. So relax a little and give one another a small portion of the grace and mercy God has extended to you.

Very Grateful Heart...We need to get up every morning with a thought that "God chose us! He chose us to live in the wealthiest nation in the world. He chose us for this life and this country and we must cease thinking of our own needs and begin thinking of ways to be God's hands and feet. This does not necessarily mean that to be His hands and feet we must travel to a foreign land. Find simple ways in your daily life to make an impact: Smile at the checker at the grocery store, encourage your child's teacher, lend a helping hand to a neighbor, or maybe just call your husband today and tell him you are so thankful to be married to him.

Everyday Pray...Prayer changes everything! Prayer has a way of rapidly changing our attitude from a stone cold heart to a soft heart. Prayer changes life's perspective and brings us to a place where we are reminded what this life is truly about. Praying together as a couple everyday brings incredible power, breaks down walls and exposes your hearts to each other and to God.

"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice and hold fast to Him.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Steve and Debbie Wilson
www.marriagemattersnow.com