Congenial, What?

“House and land are handed down from parents, but a congenial spouse comes straight from GOD.”

Proverbs 19:14 MSG

http://bible.com/97/pro.19.14.msg

Congenial: pleasant because of a personality, qualities, or interests that are similar to one's own.

I had to look it up!

Often, home is not too far from where we were raised. I know there are exceptions, but for many, home is where we've pretty much always been. Our parents lived here, we live here, our kids will live here. Moving out of that default position, if desired, often takes a bit of luck and a great amount of effort. In that way, our "house and land" are passed down from our parents. Where we are is in large part due to where we were born.

But a congenial spouse, someone we enjoy and whom enjoys us, they are a gift straight from God! I know Danielle has wondered a time or two in our 20 years of marriage whether God had given her a gift receipt along with me‽ She even tried to return me to Fleet Farm (for store credit, orange slices, anything)!

Seriously though, relationships can be incredibly challenging. Having someone "congenial" alongside is wonderful! We are gifts to one another. Sometimes that's a conscious choice we have to make toward each other, to be a gift to our spouse. We have to choose to lean in rather than pull away. We decide to focus on what drew us together instead of what draws us apart.

Thank God for your spouse! Choose to be their gift today. Focus on what draws you together.

For those who'd just as soon return or exchange their "gift," I don't pretend to have all the answers. My encouragement: be the best gift you can be, focus on the qualities that drew you in, and trust God to reveal your path. Relationships are hard to navigate. No matter what. 

In it all, choose to become you, the real you. Allow God to work in you and mold you into the person he's created you to be. You're never completely finished, you're always becoming. Continue to become you. Continue to trust God to reveal the real you. Continue to release the real you to the world around you. We need you!

Blessings today & always! –M