Marydean Draws: readerfavorite

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Proverbs 20:24 Bible verse coloring page from Marydean Draws

"A man's steps are from the Lord;how then can man understand his way?" Proverbs 20:24

I used to use this verse sometimes in college to reply when people asked me, “What are you going to do when you graduate?”

I wonder why we assume we should should know what we're doing after college and beyond? We assume we should know the ministry God has for us. We should know how we should school our children.

I'm not against planning or goal-setting; both can be the Lord's leading. But I wonder if God isn't asking us to sit with a lot more "I don't knows" than we're comfortable with?

I think we're big on making plans and having goals, but not on waiting on the LORD. At church we have been talking about how the first instruction to the disciples in the book of Acts was to wait on the coming power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

"And while staying with them he [Jesus] ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5 (ESV)

I wonder if not always knowing where we're going might by a natural by-product of following Jesus and walking in the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16)?

People often ask me, "How long do you think you'll homeschool?" I always say that I really don't know, and that I will pray about it each year. I often feel awkward answering this way, the inner critic in my head telling me that I should really be a better planner, more decisive, more on top of my life. And maybe I should, or . . .

Maybe I need to care most about what Jesus would say, and continue to do what He has led me to do until He leads differently. Maybe I need to lean in most on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in my life and not my own abilities or plans.

Today's printable Bible verse coloring page is from Proverbs 20:24. You can download your page by clicking on the images below (one in English, one in Spanish, and one blank for other languages)!*

PRAYING the Word

Jesus, forgive my self-reliance and need to control. Help me know myself well enough to know that I am an unreliable guide. Help me humbly and patiently allow you to lead me today wherever you would. Teach me to wait on you.

QUESTIONS to consider:

1. What are you asking God’s leading for today?
2. Are you content to wait as He leads in His timing?
3. What encouragement do you find in this Scripture today?

*I'm so happy for you to enjoy my coloring pages and printables for your personal (not commercial) use! Use for Bible studies, church groups or events, and Sunday school classes are all fine! If you're in doubt, I'm happy to answer any questions. All artwork and photos are copyright Marydean Draws. If you share this, you're awesome (!), and as a courtesy, please link back to this post and not the PDF file. Thank you!!

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September 21, 2017

Willing to wait + Proverbs 20:24 Bible Verse Coloring Page

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7:24-27 ESV)

I just finished the Bonhoeffer biography I told you about last time. It was weighty, sobering, heart-breaking, and hope-giving. There are many treasures I took away from reading it, but one simple idea was the way Bonhoeffer taught his seminary students to read the Bible. They were so accustomed to dissecting each verse, theorizing and debating, looking up the Greek and Hebrew, that they were inept at actually knowing how to hear from God through His Word! So he made them meditate on a single passage each week and barred them from doing any formal research. They were to simply ask what God had to say to them in His Word. This proved very difficult and frustrating for some students, but in the end fruitful. It was a practice many of them would carry throughout their lives, and one that sustained Bonhoeffer in dark days.

I find that I am so prone to wander spiritually, so quick to seek joy elsewhere, so easily discouraged, that more than anything else, I need to hear daily from Jesus. Like the little Wemmick in Max Lucado's (You are Special) children's book who cares so much about the kind of dots others stick to Him, I need to come daily to my Maker. I need to hear His will. I need to confess my sin and know His grace. I need Him to lead me to be holy as He is holy.

I am trying a Bonhoeffer-inspired approach to Scripture these days: reading a passage and then asking the Lord what He wants me to meditate on for the week.

Two weeks ago I came to this passage:

"And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." (1Corinthians 2:1-5 ESV)

I prayed over the idea that Paul "decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucifed." Since my main discipleship ministry is in my home to my children, what would it look like for a mom to not come to her children with "lofty speech or wisdom," but with single-minded focus on the cross of Christ? What does it look like for me to demonstrate and show the Spirit's power, so that my children's faith "might not rest on the wisdom of men but in the power of God"? What does this mean for me as a blogger, artist, and sister in Christ?

One thing I do know is that I don't have to be superwoman who has all the answers. That in itself won't convince anyone of God's greatness. Paul, the great missionary himself, came in "weakness and in fear and much trembling."

Last week, I honed in on the verse, "'For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16). This week, I think it's "you are still of the flesh" (1 Corinthians 3:3). God has handed me precious treasures from His Word, worthy of the time to handle and examine and cherish.

My purpose here is not to advocate for any particular method of Scripture study, but only to encourage you to seek Jesus in His Word, to listen, and then to build your life on those words--whatever the particular method you're using at the moment. It doesn't have to be complicated and overwhelming, and can be as simple as reading a few verses each week and asking God what He wants to say to you through them.

Then, God can make us like this verse below, despite the storms, the pounding rain, the floods (which will surely come):

Today's printable Bible verse coloring page is from Matthew 7:24. You can download your page HERE in Spanish or HERE in English or by clicking on the images below!*

And for the first time, I'm sharing a version of the coloring page with no words HERE (or click the image below). I've heard from several readers from around the world who speak languages other than English and Spanish, and are looking for Bible artwork they can use. If you add your own language lettering to this page, will you share it with me at mary@marydeandraws.com or on Instagram or Facebook? I'd love to see!

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July 11, 2017

A life on the rock + Matthew 7:24 Bible coloring page in English and Spanish

I'm wrapping up my final blog posts of the year and getting ready to take December off from blogging and being a little business owner!

I'm a little obsessed with art (if you haven't guessed). As soon as we bought our current home, I planned out what I would put on the walls. If I go to your house and you have blank walls, I will probably secretly plan out art to fill your space.

I spend a lot of time admiring other people's art on Etsy and Instagram and collecting my favorites, so I thought I'd share with you the artists whose work I admire.

Taste in art is such a personal thing. I favor lots of bold color, florals, animals, and birds. I also love artists with a similar heart as mine who love to combine the Word and their unique creativity.

Here they are with links at the bottom for where you can find their art. Most offer prints of their original work, which makes them more affordable!

1. Carolyn Gavin Shop She specializing in a vintage-looking color palette of florals and cute little elephants.

2. PRINTSPIRING Beautiful watercolored floral and birds (she recently went through the whole alphabet). She sells only printables, so for $5 and the cost of printing, you can get some beautiful art on your walls! If you sign up for her mailing list, you can get a free print (and if you're like me, you love free stuff!).

3. Jaime Rovenstine Jaime does quirky and bold abstract painting with lots of pink (she also takes commissions). Most of her work is originals, but she sells a few prints (cheaper).

4. GraceLaced Shop Ruth Simmons is a talented painter (and mom to six boys!) with a heart for Scripture and the Gospel. She has a gift for communicating the Gospel both in words and art.

5. Yao Cheng Design Her watercolors are just stunning (I favor the abstracts and bold florals). I got my sister a few of her prints a few years ago and they just make a room!

6. Wendy Brightbill, A Girl and Her Brush Shop I'm a big fan of Wendy's bright abstracts. She started painting while recovering from a traumatic brain injury and is so talented. Her calendar is a great deal (basically 12 prints for $25).

7. TushTush. I love her paintings of people and use of colors.

8. Quiet Boy Studio. Patrick Laurent is another artist with a heart for illustrating Scripture in fun ways. I love his prints for kids. He also makes fun movie quote prints.

Of course, quality art is an investment in an artist's talents and giftings, but if you're looking for some simple and beautiful art that just happens to be FREE to download, I've compiled my favorites for you too (details below the image).

A. "but first, coffee" minimal print

B. Psalm 138: 1 Bible verse floral print (comes in four different color palettes!)

C. You are deeply loved print from Emily at Jones Design Company

D. Do your little bitof good (Desmond Tutu quote) print

E. Love your story art print (by me along with a few others HERE!)

F. Jeremiah 17:7-8 hand-lettered print from Laura Rennie Interiors + Sincerely Amy Designs

G. "They broke bread in their homes" (Acts quote) print from the Mountainview Cottage

H. Pretty butterfly print

I. Give thanks in all circumstances print from Ashlee Proffitt

Need another idea for a cost-saving gift? Why not print my free printable Bible verse coloring pages and make a coloring book for your favorite colorer (along with some fun colored pencils or markers)? My shop also carries mini coloring pages on some of the newer sets!

See, all that time on Pinterest wasn't wasted, was it? I hope those are helpful to you!

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November 28, 2016

Artists I admire + my favorite free art you can gift this Christmas

We are celebrating a Maundy Thursday meal with our community group tomorrow night and I was doing some research for the devotional.

What is Maundy Thursday? I'm so glad you asked, because I didn't know either! It's mostly agreed that the "maundy" comes from the Latin "mandatum" which comes from the words spoken by Jesus on the night He celebrated the Passover with His disciples, the same night He was betrayed by his friend and later turned over to the Romans.

Jesus washed their dirt-caked feet Himself that night. Then He led them in celebrating the traditional Passover meal, but with a new twist. He told them that the cup now represented His blood poured out for them, and the bread, His body broken for them (see Matthew 26 & Luke 22). Later, He spoke these words:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

"A new commandment" is "mandatum novum" in the Latin. Kevin DeYoung in this article writes, "What makes the command new is that because of Jesus’ passion there is a new standard, a new examplar of love. There was never any love like the dying love of Jesus."

This is what we will celebrate tomorrow night--the great love of Jesus, a love that so transforms those who belong to Him that we can live out His "mandatum novum."

I made a coloring page based on this verse and the events of John 13 (and also Matthew 26 and Luke 22). You can download it here or by clicking the image below:

"A new commandment I give you that you love one another" John 13:34 coloring page Communion Last Supper

Here are a few discussions questions you might ask about these verses:

1. Why does Jesus call this a new commandment?

2. How did Jesus love His disciples?

3. What makes this kind of love so unique?

*I'm so happy for you to enjoy my coloring pages and printables for your personal (not commercial) use! All artwork and photos are copyright Marydean Draws. If you share this, you're awesome (!), and as a courtesy, please link back to this post and not the PDF file. Thank you!!

If you like this, you can get these posts in your inbox by signing up HERE! You'll also receive occasional news from my Etsy shop.

March 23, 2016

The mandatum novum + love one another coloring page

The Greatest Gifts Already Given Christmas Box Printable Marydean Draws

I know it looks like I've gotten my blog posts all mixed up and have skipped Thanksgiving, but I promise this is right on time!

I have a very vivid memory of one Christmas as a child. I must have been in about third grade. It was evening on Christmas day and I was curled up in the corner of my bedroom feeling completely deflated. It hadn't been magical. The gifts I got were nice, but maybe slightly disappointing (I don't remember them). I hadn't fully celebrated this day and now I'd have to wait a whole year to try again!

Then a song came over the radio, something about Jesus. A spark of joy returned. A truth to set my emotions on began to take root: Jesus is always something to celebrate.

With all the hype and build-up swirling around us this next month, how can we slow down our hearts and fix our eyes on the One who never disappoints?

In Jesus, we have great joy.
In Jesus, we have purpose (to know Him and make Him known).
In Jesus, we have peace (through His Spirit: John 14:27).
In Jesus, we have rest (Matthew 11:28-30).
In Jesus, we have comfort and help (John 14:26).
In Jesus, we have hope.
In Jesus, we have love.
In Jesus, we have unending grace and forgiveness.

Instead of gifts under our Christmas tree, a few years ago we started putting a little box that says "the greatest gift has already been given." That's all we put under the tree until Christmas morning when we put the kids' actual presents out. They love stuff (any stuff really), and presents are the topic of conversation basically all year, so this has helped to not feed that obsession. It was a really simple physical reminder for us.

This year, I made a printable "greatest gifts" treasure box for you to print already colored or to color yourself. The box shows the the Trinity, a symbol for the new heart and new Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26) God gives, and a symbol for the gift of being made part of God's family and the Church (Romans 12:4-5; John 1:12).

I've been thinking about how God, in His triune self, has always given us . . . Himself. He gives Himself as our Father and King. He gives Himself as the Son, the sacrifice and Redeemer. And He gives His Holy Spirit to dwell in us, to teach, and to comfort us (John 14:26).

There's something so beautiful about the doctrine of the Trinity, and all three Persons at work as One for our good that astounds me in a way I didn't understand in earlier years.

By the way, I don't think we should shy away from talking about the Trinity with our kids just because it's hard to grasp. The element of faith has to come in (a God-given element). Rather than delve into complicated analogies, I like to explain the doctrine of the trinity in simple terms ("God is One God in three persons. He's not three gods, but three persons, each with a different job or role, but all one or unified. God in three Persons is how He has always existed."). Then I like to point out any time we see the "persons" of God in Scripture working together. I even make a little trinity mark (like a triangle) next to any such reference in my Bible. We use the Good News Story cards from my Etsy shop for Bible memory and many of those verses show the persons of the Trinity at work (such as John 1:1,3-4; John 1:14; John 14:6; John 14:26; Matthew 28:19-20).

I'll post some photos on my Instagram account of our boxes in action after my kiddos do theirs in the next week or so! I printed mine on white cardstock. The box folds together simply and only requires a few pieces of tape (or can be glued together).

You can download the black and white box template HERE.

You can download the full-color box template HERE. (usage below*)

One last thing!

I feel like it's so hard to get to know someone over the internet, so I decided to make a completely awkward and unedited video just for you to close out my blogging year. (By the way, I do wear make-up and wash my hair occasionally, but today wasn't one of the days). So, just pretend you're sitting cross-legged on the carpet with me in my living room while the baby blasts his toy truck, and we'll chat over a cup of coffee . . .

Oh, and happy thanksgiving too! I'm thankful for you.

*I'm so happy for you to enjoy my coloring pages and printables for your personal (not commercial) use! All artwork and photos are ã Marydean Draws. Please share freely by posting a link back to this blog post. Please don't repost the actual file. If you share this, you're awesome (!), and as a courtesy, please link back to this post and not the PDF file. Thank you!!

If you like this, you can get these posts in your inbox by signing up HERE! You'll also receive occasional news from my Etsy shop.

Christmas printables in the shop:

November 24, 2015

Merry (early) Christmas + The Greatest Gifts Treasure Box Printable

I remember getting scared of the dark as a little girl. I'd call for my mom, and she'd come and sing a little song based on Philippians 4:8. She hates for anyone to hear her voice, but to me it was the sweetest comfort.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8

Now I have my own little girl who is occasionally scared of the dark and what's hidden in her closet (especially after a little too much Nancy Drew).

And now I'm all grown up with grown-up fears of my own. What do you do with your fears as an adult when you can't call your mama to come sing over you? Where do you go?

Our baby had the croup a few weeks ago and had that awful barky cough late at night. I lay in bed listening to him trying unsuccessfully to sleep and I began to feel overwhelmed with fearful thoughts. All kinds of things ran through my head and all of a sudden, I was near panic (I've never had a panic attack, but I can begin to imagine it). I had to ask my husband to pray for me.

These fears often grip me. They're mostly about bad things happening to my children, played out in horrid detail in my mind until be body reacts to the fear that feels so real. Some of us live in this constant state of fear of things that might just happen.

Friends, can I tell you that we weren't made to live in such a state of fear? Jesus would have us controlled only by His Spirit and nothing else.

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

I've been praying this simple prayer when fears assault:

Jesus, forgive me for thinking about things that are not true. Help me think about things that are true right now.

Not:
What if the baby stops breathing?
Will the ambulance get here fast enough?
Will I have to call and wake up the doctor?
How would I live without my son?

But this:
Yes, the baby is coughing.
He is still breathing.
God's hand is on his life.
God knows the number of his days.
God will help us know what to do to take care of our son.

This prayer is helping me bring my thoughts under Jesus' control. I also pray that God would alert me if there is a real danger and give me a sense if there is something I do need to be alerted to. This has especially helped when my children are sick.

I share these truths with my little girl as I help her bring her fears to Jesus. I can't promise her (or you) that nothing bad will happen. I can only promise her that God will never leave her or forsake her, even if something bad does happen. I teach her about the Holy Spirit who lives in her because she trusts in Jesus.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

These are the words the ailing Moses spoke to the Israelites as they stood on the brink of the promised land once again (after failing to have the courage to take it the first time they were led there). He points them to the "God-ness" of their God, his sovereignty over all things big and scary.

I made this verse into a coloring page for you or for you to share with your kiddos (especially the afraid-of-the-dark ones). Click here to download the file (usage below*).

What are you doing with your fears today?

Other posts on worry/anxiety:
Confessions of a sleep-deprived worrier
No room for fear
the weight
Pushing back the chaos

*My coloring pages are free for your personal use. Please don't repost the actual file, but feel free to link to this page! Any other uses, please ask!

If you like this, you can get these posts in your inbox by signing up HERE! You'll also receive occasional news from my Etsy shop.

October 28, 2015

Wrestling fears and finding peace + strong and courageous Deuteronomy 31:6 printable coloring page

Marydean Draws Printable Joy Scripture Cards

My mother-in-law asked me to create this joy Scripture card set for a church event recently. We love how they turned out, so we're sharing them with you today!

I love these verses because they remind me of our joy source:

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51:12

"Let all who take refuge in you be glad, Let them ever sing for joy." Psalm 5:11

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever." Psalm 16:11

"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Isaiah 12:3

Did you catch that? Joy is found in God's presence and His salvation. What reliable sources!

Enjoy these cards! They're great for posting on the refrigerator, slipping in a card to a friend, taping on a mirror, or putting in a frame. To cut in fours, make cuts at the 4.25 and 5.5 inch marks.

You can download the file HERE! All my printables are free for your personal use. Please don't re-post the actual file without my permission (but please feel free to link to this post)!

I also have other card sets just like this available in my Etsy shop! You can check out more free printables here. What Scripture sets or printables would be helpful for you to have?

If you like this, you can get these posts in your inbox by signing up HERE! You'll also receive occasional news from my Etsy shop.

September 17, 2015

The JOY source + FREE printable Scripture cards

She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:12

I was tempted to name this post "How I failed as a wife the first eight years of my marriage," but that would make this about me and not the sweet ways God is at work. Eight years ago when I began this journey of marriage, I thought I was ready with hearty recipes, coordinated throw pillows, cute lingerie, and my marriage books, but the deep things of my heart were about to be exposed.

You could include all kinds of things in a list like this, but I wanted to focus in on the subtle, heart-level ones that weren't obvious to me from the start. Here are a few things God has been (SO patiently) teaching me:

1. I can bless my husband by placing my trust in God.
It's so simple and seems like the rote answer: "Trust in God." But often I place my trust in everything and everyone but God.

God is calling me to cast my anxiety on Him, humbling myself under under God's mighty hand. I often think that a solutions lies in figuring things out, rather than in conversation with the true Helper.

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

When I refuse God's comfort in my anxiety, I then pass my worries on to my husband and burden him with a weight he can do nothing to relieve. While we should share our burdens with our husbands, the weight of them can only be carried by God.

And when my husband has his own anxieties and frustrations, I have an opportunity to point him to God's help, not our own solutions.

2. I can bless my husband by being content.
My husband and I have had a conversation like this multiple times:

Me; [Insert a litany (often rehearsed) of why my day was so hard and how frustrated I feel about the lack of time to do the things I want to do].

Hubby: "I thought you wanted to stay home with the kids, and that this other stuff is just a side thing. Aren't homeschool and the kids the priorities right now?"

Me: "Well . . . yes, of course. But I just feel frustrated and I don't feel like you understand how it feels to be ME! And . . . are you suggesting that I'm not a good mom?!" [insert tears, self-pity, self-loathing]

Maybe you don't struggle with your current calling like I do. Maybe it's:
your body
your clothes
your house
your finances
his (or your) job and work hours
his callings

his interests (or lack of interests)
his relationship (or lack of one) with God

A never-contented wife can make her husband feel like he and his efforts are never enough.

Contentment is really an issue of trust, isn't it? Are we trusting God to provide for our needs, and even define what those needs are? Are we trusting God to bring joy in whatever situation He has called us to?

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

If God has laid His gracious yoke on us, we can choose to fight against it or submit to it in God's strength (s ee Matthew 11:28-30). God has promised to meet our needs out of "His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." How then will we lack anything?

3. I can bless my husband by accepting him as he is.

God has not given me the job of shaping my husband. Although God might use me in His shaping, it is the Holy Spirit's job to conform His children into the image of His Son. Even if your husband isn't a Jesus-follower, the Holy Spirit can still work in his life.

We are called to accept each other as God accepts us. If God delights in my husband in all of his weaknesses and died for him while he was still a sinner (Romans 5:8), who am I not to accept him also or put conditions on that acceptance?

"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7

This doesn't mean that God approves of our sin or never confronts wrong; it just means that since the penalty of our sin was paid by Jesus, there is no condemnation left. All that remains is to grow in grace.

This seems like an another area where our trust or lack of trust in God bears fruit. Without trust, fear sets in:
What if he disappoints me?
What if he makes a bad decision?
What if he never grows in this area?
What if my needs aren't met ?
What if he isn't appropriately sorry or repentant (in my judgment)?

Our fears are red flags over areas of our hearts where our trust in God is fragile.

4. I can bless my husband by truly listening.
It's a big challenge for me to listen without assuming I understand my husband's motives and heart. I think I know him so well, but I find I allow pockets of lingering bitterness from the way we've hurt each other in the past to keep me from listening impartially.

I feel the need to control a situation and defend myself. Again, fear gets the best of me. I am chewing on these scriptures:

Proverbs 18:13 "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame."

Ecclesiastes 7:21 "Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you."

Proverbs 19:11 "Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense."

The Fruit
I see some beautiful fruit from God's work in these areas of my heart. Here are a few practical ways these play out:

When I cast my anxiety on God, I release my husband from the weight of my anxieties. We can enjoy true rest together. We can focus on things ahead of us--real things.

When I am content at home with my kids and my calling (even when it make me feel like a looney toon), I don't have to despair when my husband has to work long hours. I can agree to let him play golf on a Saturday without throwing a pity party when he leaves (not that I would ever do that, ahem).

When I accept him as he is, I am released of the burden of changing him, and our relationship becomes lighter. Affection and intimacy are easier. I am free to focus on what God wants to do in me (plank in the eye, anyone? See Matthew 7:3-5).

When I truly listen without judging, I spend less time smoldering over perceived assumptions and cleaning up the messes of senseless arguments. I am learning that I still have much to learn about the heart of this man I have married.

Friends, all us wives are learning how to do this thing called marriage. Jesus has called us to be his disciples and to make disciples. A disciple is a learner, not a graduate with an "I have arrived" degree. You are a mistake-making learner under the gracious apprenticeship of the only perfect One, Jesus. There is no condemnation left for you in Him, because He took it all on Himself already (Romans 8:1).

Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."

Let some girlfriends into your life and marriage so they can encourage you as you follow Jesus in this area. Let God do his miracles in your heart.

Finally, let's remember to bless our husbands with the goal of cultivating a spirit that is precious in God's sight. If we set out to please God, we might just also become precious in our husbands' sights as well.

"Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:4

"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." Zephaniah 3:17

What would YOU add to this list?

If you like this, you can get these posts in your inbox by signing up HERE! You'll also receive occasional news from my Etsy shop.

September 9, 2015