Marriage Anchors

      I remember my Dad, an imperfect but very faithful man. Married almost 61 years, a WWII Medic in the Battle of the Bulge, a Principle for 37 years. A stoic man, not much for emotions but a kind hearted man in so many ways. One day, when I was 27, he and I were arguing about something trivial. I so wanted his approval. I did not understand his language of love.

     He stopped abruptly and said in a loud voice, “Jim, What is it that you want from me?!” There in his kitchen I looked at him and blurted out, “Dad, I just want you to hold me!”  He could have shamed me. Instead, he walked over to me and gave me a big old WWII Vet Bear Hug. Our true relationship began.

     After that, I did not feel I had to earn his approval anymore. I knew he loved me, and that he was proud of me. We began going out for breakfast together once a week. We became good friends!

I did not quite understand how my Heavenly Father loved me. The Faith Principle {Faith is choosing to live as though the Bible is true regardless of circumstances, emotions, or cultural trends} has helped bring His love for me into clear focus. He loves me whether I feel it or not. He loves whether I measure up or not. I’m loved forever! Hugs help too.

You know, not only does God want us to show His kind of love to our parents, and our children, but…especially to our mate. Try telling your mate and others this week that you love them huggingly so and that they…

Ø  Don’t have to improve

Ø  Don’t have to become better

Ø  Don’t have to measure up

Ø  Don’t have to earn favor through performance

Ø  But that you love them just the way they are and if they get worse, you will never waiver on your love for them.

Will you try this? When Jesus commands us to "… Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34), He really means choose right now to pursue the people in your life, rapidly forgive them as Jesus forgave you, and issue kind, supportive, and affirming words, countenance, and loyalty. Yes, there may need to be ‘tough love’ required in some difficult situations. However, in general, we are totally without excuse when we right off a family member, hold grudges, and seek to punish them by slander, insult, rejection, or by giving them the silent treatment!

If you will take this challenge to pursue and issue the same grace filled, forgiving, kind love that Jesus shows you, to your mate, kids, parents, in-laws, and others,please email us at [email protected] so we can pray on your behalf. We’re pulling for you

Jim Grunseth

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

Please download our latest Free E Books:

7 Glues for your Engagement and Marriage

http://www.cruresources.com/3/post/2012/07/marriage-mentors-and-authors-say-there-are-7-glues-that-help-hold-relationships-together.html

Marriage Anchors

http://www.campuscrusade.com/promos/MarriageAnchors.html

Rekindling Your Faith

http://www.campuscrusade.com/promos/RekindlingYourFaith.html