My slope is always slippery... mostly because I have no filter and long ago I realized I couldn't be the presidents wife... I talk too much (but don't tell my middle son-he gets it from me- we are always asking him to be quiet). I'm not funny, I have no amazing talent, I weigh a little too much, I'm short (the list goes on) but I can talk. So when I believe in something... I WEAR IT... I SCREAM IT.. I OWN IT...
READY FOR THIS... I PRAY. I WANT TO. I NEED TO. I HAVE TO.
When I don't pray for my spouse and my marriage (or when I get lazy in my prayer life) things around these parts get a little hairy. Now some may call it coincidence, but I'll tell you it's TRUTH. What I know: some people go through life trying to go it alone- I'm not capable of that. Marriage is HARD. Anyone who tells you it's not- probably frequents Colorado to partake in their "legal recreations." Personally I need all the help I can get- and that means my prayer life needs to be intentional and specific. (I'm not dumbing down my faith or my marriage- I'm being me.. so try not to read too much into my silliness.)
Specifically, I spend more time praying for my husbands heart, head, career and person than I probably do any other being in my life- including my children (eek I just said that out loud- and I don't feel guilty about it). I KNOW that in order for them to be ok we must be ok and that requires time and effort on my part-talking to the big guy about MY guy! I know this is completely counter-culture to focus so hard on your spouse and take the focus off of YOU (I guess I kind of beat that counter-culture drum anyway-YIKES) but I'm here to tell you that it's not only worth it- it's necessary.
When I get up in the morning- if I've pressed snooze- which I never used to do but getting older changes you- I hit the ground running. I am a planner. I write everything down and LOVE LOVE LOVE checkmarks... the more I have in a day... the better off I am!! I digress... So if I hit the ground running and have had no quiet time.. my day is already starting a little off kilter. My marriage does better when I am intentionally praying over HIM, over us. That requires my time.
I hear excuses all the time.. most of it is "I don't have the time." I'm going to push back HARD on that... You don't NOT have the time. Truthfully my prayer time makes our date nights better. Have you ever been so stinkin' mad at someone? You had a whole conversation- in your head (again could be just me- if it is- good for you) -you were going to let them have it. You see them and they reach out and say, "I'm sorry." INSTANTLY BAM- everything just changed. What if that was your EVERY DAY? One of the best quotes on prayer I've read is by Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest Daily Devotions "God has established things so that prayer on the basis of redemption, changes the way a person looks at things. Prayer is not a matter of changing things externally, but one of working miracles in a persons inner nature." (WOW THAT GOT DEEP!) I'm calmer, more focused and centered when my prayers are going up- instead of my mouth opening up in the wrong direction! This creates (most of the time- insert huge grin) a calmer more pleasant environment because I've already dealt with whatever ails me with the guy...so my guy gets the better me!! Hence- date nights can be more Barry White like... Can't get enough of your love, babe!