Who are You Married To ? REALLY?
Do you ever think about that? I may have lacked some education in that area... why I'm writing to you now!
As a college student, I was intrigued by an acclaimed woman vocalist and performer shook my view of women.
I had grown up in a very conservative environment where “a woman’s place” was NEVER to be a stage even, to tell you the truth, do much "outside the home."
Yet, I was drawn to the gifts, message and the way this woman communicated authentic faith. It drew me to consider the depth of my own relationship with God.
A woman: Confident. Gifted. Seemingly genuine.
I bought her albums (they had those then!) and even drove hundreds of miles with friends to attend her packed out concert in Philadelphia.
Her husband: He was also a very gifted musician. A backup player. He also had albums and did concerts but honestly, I can’t remember his name.
As I thought about it, I thought, “how do you play ‘second fiddle’ to a wife that gifted? Must be hard?”
Call me sexist? Please. You would be right.
I had assumed that women played certain roles … and men played certain roles.
But, what if you’re married to a spouse who’s outside the box? Gifted? Talented? A leader?
So, of course God has a sense of humor. I too married a woman with strong leadership gifts, a message for many and a key role to play in the lives of many.
How can a husband stay married to a gifted, acclaimed and influential woman … if he has an…. EGO?
A lot of pressure to put on a marriage. Right?
Again, I confess… I only bought my wife clothes from Laura Ashley (think girly girl) for the first 10 years of our marriage!
But, what does it look like to help, encourage, champion, or even empower your spouse to be fully who THEY are?
And be OK that that he or she does NOT
No one taught what I am about to say is a KEY to happy marriage. To successful marriage. To Godly marriage.
One of THE most important roles we can play for our spouse it to help them realize their full potential in every sphere. And that includes the work their called to do in this world - “big deal” or “not a big deal” by anyone else’s standards.
The very first recorded words of God to a couple: "Be fruitful and increase in number." (Genesis 1:28)
Actually these are 2 different verbs here. The second is "make babies." The first involves doing something meaningful in the world. It involves humans created for purpose. For healthy productivity. For leaving a legacy. It's what we all hunger for, don't we?
So - part of helping our spouse be all they can be: Help them be fruitful. Fulfilled. Purposeful.
I confess, I spent many years trying to help Mindy become what something that wasn’t her.
"How did that work for you Jeff?" you might ask.
No need to answer that. OK, it didn't! Would make this post too long though!
Here’s a key question: How can we help our spouse see WHO they really are and WHAT they really hae to offer?
Even ask God:
And if there potential is something awesome in the eyes of others, how would I feel about that?
I believe most of us spend far too little time breathing life into our spouse’s greatest dreams. Helping them unlock their greatest potential.
Do you believe that? Are you up for the challenge?
In his book ,The Weight of Glory, author C.S. Lewis wrote,
And it’s an immortal who will walk through door tonight after a tough day at the office, or caring for toddlers, or seeking to build a business, or caring for the sick, or earning a living.
What if…. Just what if… we accepted our marital role in their life: Potential releaser. Dream releaser. Wind under their wings.
Want to do more than just read about this?
With that in mind, I created a great date for you. It's called 10 Questions to Release Your Spouse’s Potential.
It's a practical application of helping our spouse see WHO they really are and WHAT they offer!
You Can Download FREE for here:
<a href="https://jeffcaliguire.leadpages.co/leadbox/140b3d373f72a2%3A17e107a68b46dc/5728757302165504/" target="_blank" ></script>
Do you ever think about that? I may have lacked some education in that area... why I'm writing to you now!
As a college student, I was intrigued by an acclaimed woman vocalist and performer shook my view of women.
I had grown up in a very conservative environment where “a woman’s place” was NEVER to be a stage even, to tell you the truth, do much "outside the home."
Yet, I was drawn to the gifts, message and the way this woman communicated authentic faith. It drew me to consider the depth of my own relationship with God.
A woman: Confident. Gifted. Seemingly genuine.
I bought her albums (they had those then!) and even drove hundreds of miles with friends to attend her packed out concert in Philadelphia.
What does this have to do with marriage?
Well, this woman was married.Her husband: He was also a very gifted musician. A backup player. He also had albums and did concerts but honestly, I can’t remember his name.
As I thought about it, I thought, “how do you play ‘second fiddle’ to a wife that gifted? Must be hard?”
Call me sexist? Please. You would be right.
I had assumed that women played certain roles … and men played certain roles.
But, what if you’re married to a spouse who’s outside the box? Gifted? Talented? A leader?
So, of course God has a sense of humor. I too married a woman with strong leadership gifts, a message for many and a key role to play in the lives of many.
How can a husband stay married to a gifted, acclaimed and influential woman … if he has an…. EGO?
A lot of pressure to put on a marriage. Right?
Or not?
What a warped view of marriage and of women, right?Again, I confess… I only bought my wife clothes from Laura Ashley (think girly girl) for the first 10 years of our marriage!
But, what does it look like to help, encourage, champion, or even empower your spouse to be fully who THEY are?
And be OK that that he or she does NOT
FIT into any stereotyped role of what a “good husband” or “good wife” does.
BEHAVE like our mom. Or dad.
EXIST just to make us look good. (trophy-like)
UNLOCKS gifts that lead them to positions, platforms or potential.
FREES their time and energy to do what they were made to do.
No one taught what I am about to say is a KEY to happy marriage. To successful marriage. To Godly marriage.
It’s this:
One of THE most important roles we can play for our spouse it to help them realize their full potential in every sphere. And that includes the work their called to do in this world - “big deal” or “not a big deal” by anyone else’s standards.
The very first recorded words of God to a couple: "Be fruitful and increase in number." (Genesis 1:28)
Actually these are 2 different verbs here. The second is "make babies." The first involves doing something meaningful in the world. It involves humans created for purpose. For healthy productivity. For leaving a legacy. It's what we all hunger for, don't we?
So - part of helping our spouse be all they can be: Help them be fruitful. Fulfilled. Purposeful.
I confess, I spent many years trying to help Mindy become what something that wasn’t her.
"How did that work for you Jeff?" you might ask.
No need to answer that. OK, it didn't! Would make this post too long though!
Here’s a key question: How can we help our spouse see WHO they really are and WHAT they really hae to offer?
Even ask God:
Who did I marry? Help me see the whole them!
If your spouse was to fulfill their truest potential … What would that look like?And if there potential is something awesome in the eyes of others, how would I feel about that?
I believe most of us spend far too little time breathing life into our spouse’s greatest dreams. Helping them unlock their greatest potential.
You have no ordinary spouse!
Your spouse is not ordinary. There’s nothing ordinary about them. And God has entrusted you with the incredible opportunity to unleash these extraordinary people to their destiny.Do you believe that? Are you up for the challenge?
In his book ,The Weight of Glory, author C.S. Lewis wrote,
“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”
And it’s an immortal who will walk through door tonight after a tough day at the office, or caring for toddlers, or seeking to build a business, or caring for the sick, or earning a living.
What if…. Just what if… we accepted our marital role in their life: Potential releaser. Dream releaser. Wind under their wings.
Want to do more than just read about this?
With that in mind, I created a great date for you. It's called 10 Questions to Release Your Spouse’s Potential.
It's a practical application of helping our spouse see WHO they really are and WHAT they offer!
You Can Download FREE for here:
<a href="https://jeffcaliguire.leadpages.co/leadbox/140b3d373f72a2%3A17e107a68b46dc/5728757302165504/" target="_blank" ></script>
