Welcome dear friend, we are sitting in the warmth of our Autumn sun today…under our flourishing Jacaranda tree introduced in Tree of life…
I have an interesting tea blend called Prince of Wales for us to try & I have baked a Date loaf, sliced & spread with lashings of real creamy butter for our treat
Well now we have our tea, treats & are settled under the Jacaranda, let’s begin our reflection.
Dates of a different kind
My husband & I have just celebrated our wedding anniversary.
The other day we went for a drive out to where we had our first date, it was through the beautiful mountain range of this area.
We took a picnic, just like that first date & chatted about the years we’ve been married as we drove, remembering the many challenges we have faced, how we have grown together in those challenges & what our dreams are for the future.
This is called relationship, spending quality time together, chatting about past, present & future dreams.
Seeing where we have grown & what areas we still need to grow.
Raising issues for discussion before they become contentious is all important.
You see I believe where a relationship really reveals itself is behind closed doors.
Where only the two dwell, away from other eyes.
Where mutual respect, kindness, gentleness, dignity, consideration for each other & in how one speaks to the other is truly found or not.
Marriage is a relationship of equality
For marriage should always be a relationship of equality within the differing roles of marriage & mutual love demonstrated.
“For this is true relationship; being kind, considerate, gentle, loving, caring & in giving each other dignity! It should never be controlling & abusive in any way what so ever!”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Refer
You see God Himself does not control anyone in relationship to Himself, He has given each one of us the freedom of choice in relationship to Him, we are free to choose to have that relationship with Him through His Son Jesus or not!
Thought to ponder;
If God does not control anyone in relationship to Himself. Then what right does anyone think they have to control another in a relationship?
Getting back to our picnic, we sat & ate our lunch looking out over the most picturesque quaint little country village.
We dreamed & planned together, we chatted about our desires for the future individually & as a couple.
We wondered where God would lead us & discussed where we are in Him at the moment.
As we drove home, we felt at one with each other in Him, having renewed those all important bonds of relationship, friendship & love.
Really listening to our partner
It takes time to listen to your partner, to give them our undivided attention, to see where they are coming from, to really enjoy their company & to appreciate them for who they are.
The person you fell in love with & to be able to see where you both are within your relationship presently.
Make time to do this often & you won’t be disappointed!
Note; If you are being controlled & abused in any way in your relationship, please seek professional help as soon as possible, you need to protect your physical, mental & spiritual wellbeing!
A professional can help you with strategies to address the situation safely.
While your partner either gets the help they need (if they seek it) or lives with the consequences of their behavior apart from you.
God does not expect anyone to live in a relationship that is controlling & abusive, ever!
Well, with the delightful tastes of the tea still lingering & as the Sun has moved its warmth now give, its time to go inside!
Until next time dear friend…
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
Or
In Prayer
© 2018 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Photo on Pexels.com
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Hi Jennifer, a great reminder of the beauty of the marriage relationship. Loving the idea of a picnic for the next date. For me the most important part of our relationship is Christ. Without Him, there would be a lot more hills and valleys, fireworks and run-ins! I am thankful for a Christian marriage in today’s crazy world. Great post. Visiting from over at Grace and truth linkup!
God bless
Tracy
Hi Tracy🤗
Yes I agree! To have Jesus at the centre of our marriages is the utmost. Lovely having you join me in a cuppa today.
Jennifer, happy anniversary to you and your husband. How awesome it is to be in a place where you can spend time in actual relationship with each other. My hubby and I have arrived at that place of relationship after many years of struggle. Its such a blessing to truly be at the center of each other’s hearts. God has blessed us richly and restored us to each other and to Him. Thank you for linking this post to the #GatheringofFriendsLinkParty 5
Yes, it is a great place to arrive at isn’t it Sylvia! Relationships can be hard work at times but can have such wonderful rewards at the end… contentment! 😀
Prince of Wales is one of my favorite kinds of tea, but it’s been awhile since I had it. I will have to look for it again. And that date loaf sounds scrumptious! You have good words of wisdom here concerning relationships, esp in marriage. We will soon celebrate our 45th anniversary. I think it would be a wonderful time to review the past, present and our hopes for the future. Blessings to you, dear Jennifer! I’m your neighbor at #TellHisStory this week.
Hi Gayl, congratulations on your forthcoming 45th wedding anniversary! It’s lovely having you drop by & yes the date loaf was delicious 🙂
It’s always a blessed exercise to reflect past, present & future of your marriage with each other, it shows the growth in your relationship & the areas that may need a little more attention 😉
I love time with my hubby! I find myself missing it a bit lately as it is harder with kids home more in the summer, but it is always worth making it happen!
I agree Rebecca, we need time with our hubby’s & vice a versa for our relationships to flourish, that reconnection without interruption or being rushed 😀
Beautiful
A very happy belated anniversary Jennifer
Thank you!
Oh, I love this, Jennifer! (Of course I do!) What a precious way to celebrate your love. Dreaming together is the best! Thanks so much for sharing…
Lovely to have you drop by & glad you enjoyed our time together.
Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful post. I will definitely be sharing it this month on my social media. I love what you said about relationships.
“This is called relationship…spending quality time together, chatting about past, present & future dreams…seeing where we have grown & what areas we still need to grow in…raising issues for discussion before they become contentious…is all important.”
I am getting ready to spend two weeks with my husband celebrating our 30 years of marriage. I don’t think we have ever spent that much time away.
Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up.
Thank you Maree, it is a joy to share.
Have a lovely blessed time with your man!
Enjoy the previous time together!
Jennifer
Happy anniversary to you and your hubby, dear Jennifer. Thanks for the reminder to cherish my relationship with my husband and to make the time for simple pleasures like a leisurely chat. Isn’t it amazing the little things we take for granted but that could have such a huge impact? Thanks for your beautiful encouraging word.
Blessings to you!
Marva | SunSparkleShine
Hi Marva,
Lovely to have you drop by, yes quite often it is the simple things like just spending companionable time together with our hubbys that we are too busy to stop & do…
Blessings to you too,
Jennifer
Jennifer, I came right over for the inspiration! I just saw a box of Prince of Wales tea — trying to remember where I was. I will think of you each time now when I see it! Loved the GF bread too – as we do try to eat GF. Lovely post and lovelier cuppa!
Lovely having you over, I so enjoyed your visit. There are Gluten free Recipes if you want to experiment with some delicious treats.
Happy Anniversary Jennifer! You share such beautiful thoughts about a loving, Christ-centered relationship. I really appreciate that you have included the word “dignity” here, as It struck me that God is teaching me more about that as my husband recovers from knee replacement surgery, and I deal with chronic illness. Neither one of us can do for the other the things we might have chosen in our healthier, younger years. And yet we can help our relationship grow through these days as we treat each other with the dignity that the Lord Himself gives to us. Thank you for these beautiful words!
Its a pleasure!
It is difficult when you are both unwell, I do understand…& you are correct Bette, we can give each other dignity as we care for each other within our differing capacities….this is so important.
I hope your husband recovers quickly!
Thank you so much Jennifer!
You’re very welcome.