It’s wonderful when a married couple are similar in their ways.  However, it can be quite difficult when your differences come out. Yet, respecting each other’s uniqueness is what is required for a happy marriage.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  Psalm 139:14

My husband and I are a lot alike in a lot of ways.  We do have some very different qualities that make us who we are as unique individuals as well.  Together, we feel that we complement each other nicely.

I am the accountant of the family, and I believe in saving!  My husband, on the other hand, cannot be let loose with the debit card!  He jokingly says that if there is money to be spent, he’s going to spend it!  That is why I guard that debit card and keep it in my possession!  I am not being controlling by doing that.  Instead, I am being realistic.  I know that he isn’t going to be as good with money as I am, and so the card stays with me.  In this way, though, we realize his weakness with spending money and my strong point in saving it!  We balance each other out nicely.  I’d hate to think of what it would look like if we both were burning up that debit card, so it’s a good thing that we’re different in this unique way.

There are other ways that we are different that doesn’t cause us problems but instead enhances our relationship.  But, when both of us are in the same “take charge” mode, we can have problems.  If we are both Type A personalities, we will lock horns at some point or another.  Thankfully, we aren’t always like this.  We do have our moments, though, where we are both extremely strong willed individuals that want what we want right when we want it. That can spell … conflict … if we aren’t careful.  It is at times like these that one has to give a little more than the other to make it work, or one has to be a little bit more patient and forgiving than the other for us not to rub each other the wrong way.  It can be a balancing act at times.  You truly have to work together with the big goal in mind, and that is of living happily ever after and making the marriage work!

Two are better than one … just as it says in the bible:

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.  But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm.  But how can one be warm alone?  A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.  Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

How can you start appreciating, respecting, and celebrating your uniqueness in your marriage?

Next up … Pursuing Personal Growth.

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