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Enter…Expectations
“I had no idea this is what would happen.”
“This is the last situation I expected to be in.”
Are these quotes all too similar to you? They sure are to me. From the moment we got engaged, I had a number of expectations I put on marriage that I had no idea were even there. I had expectations about our engagement period, our wedding day, our honeymoon and of course the days after our wedding. We both did.
The funny thing is that we didn’t find this out by writing them all down before each event. Jordan and I actually discovered our expectations in a collision of little mini disappointments that began to show up in our everyday life marriage. Eventually we started using language like, “Oh I didn’t think I would feel this way.” “I’m not sure I know how to deal with this.” Language that basically stated there had been unexpected expectations.
So how do we deal and resolve our relationships while expectations hang so closely in front of us?
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Here Comes The Book…
“What Did You Expect?” By Paul David Tripp takes us on an adventure to shed light and grace onto our marriages and ALL the expectations that came with it! He helps our eyes refocus on the truthful vows we made to our spouses while standing at the alter together. He changes our lens in a new way based off of six commitments.
As I turned to the first page there they were staring me right in the face radiating so much hope. 6 commitments of restoration, of redemption, of truth, of love, and of grace. Here are the six commitments:
- Commitment 1: We will give ourselves to a regular lifestyle of confession and forgiveness.
- Commitment 2: We will make growth and change our daily agenda.
- Commitment 3: We will work together to build a sturdy bond of trust.
- Commitment 4: We will commit to building a relationship of love.
- Commitment 5: We will deal with our differences with appreciation and grace.
- Commitment 6: We will work to protect our marriage.
With these at the forefront of our series, we will be a few months long because we will be taking two weeks to cover one commitment. I am looking forward to remaining consistent and sharing God’s truth about marriage and Tripp’s wise words springing up new ambitions for us..jpg)
Practical Encouragement
If you are looking to bring hope, healing, and understanding into your marriage, do your marriage a favor and purchase this book. Investing money into your marriage is an investment you will not regret. From skimming through the pages of the entire book, my heart has already been encouraged by what refreshing words Tripp has to say. God believes in our marriages and believes in us as His children. He has used marriage testimonies to help encourage ours. I hope you are excited to share this book together as I am!
Take this next week to maybe bring any disappointments or frustrations to the feet of Jesus and ask Him to reveal any expectations you might have had in your marriage. Take note of what He brings to light in whatever time He does. Until next week, take care of each other.
AUTHOR OF THE MARRIAGE SERIES: Taylor Wild
Note: We do not hold degrees in psychology, nor are we doctors, but people who have a heart to share wisdom.
MANY THANKS TO THE CREATIVE TEAM WHO HELPED WITH THE FARM AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN WEDDING INSPIRATION:
Venue: THE FARM AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN | Photographer: APRIL MAURA PHOTOGRAPHY | Rentals & Design: THE CONFETTI STUDIO | Florals: GARDEN GATE FLOWERS | Hair: @JOYCE.OHANASALONAZ | Makeup: BABY DOLL WEDDINGS | Models: @SCBRADSHAW | Dress: DAVIDS BRIDAL | Calligraphy: @FLOURISH_HL | Inspiration for these St. Louis Wedding Locations: FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ST LOUIS | THE CHASE PARK PLAZA | MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN | BUSCH FAMILY ESTATE AT GRANT’S FARM | Silver Oaks Chateau | Peabody Opera House | The Caramel Room at Bissinger | Photographer: APRIL MAURA PHOTOGRAPHY
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