It's Better With the Father

I love eating at my dad's house. Even the simplest things just taste better there. I can make the same recipes that he does, yet his still taste better. I finally figured out why! We may make the same dip, but I use low fat sour cream, and he uses the "real" stuff. Of  course, his ends up being richer, creamier and more delicious! That sandwich? While I use 100% whole wheat, he uses a thick white Italian bread. Yes, the whole wheat may be "better" for me, but his definitely tastes better.

There is also the joy of "being taken care of" by my father. As the person who takes care of everyone else in my daily life, it's nice to have someone take care of me for a change. (But don't worry - I do a lot of things to take care of him too!)

My Christian walk can mirror that example. I can look to other things to fill me instead of my time with Jesus. And even when they are "good" things, like volunteering, exercising, or even writing a blog post, nothing really fulfils as much as Jesus. He is the "real stuff" that is definitely better.

Not only there, there is joy in being taken care of by my Father - my heavenly Father.  He knows too well the time I spend caring for everyone and yet I am always in His sight and His is always there for me.

It's better with the Father! The biggest problems are smaller when you have the hope of Jesus, and the best days are better when you know Him. Spend some time creating the real relationship with your heavenly Father. It will be noticeable different than just knowing about Him.

If you don't have a relationship with your earthly dad, God can fill the role of loving Father for you. But if your earthly dad and you have a good relationship, why not give him a call, just to tell him you love him. And remember, God is always on call to hear that you love Him too.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, 

that we should be called children of God!

 And that is what we are! 

1 John 3:1

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

The One Thing That Makes My Marriage Last

On Saturday, my husband and I celebrated 17 years of marriage.  There are a lot of reasons why our marriage should not last. Here are just a few:

1. We both come from dysfunctional childhoods, bringing a lot of emotional baggage into the marriage.
2. We are both previously divorced. The divorce rate for 1st marriages is 50%, but rises to 67% for 2nd marriages. Statistically, our chances of staying together are low.
3. We have over a 20 year difference in our ages.
4. We are both strong leaders. Individually this is a great thing, but joined together it can create some dynamic power struggles. 

But there is one reason that we are able to stay together that is bigger than all the reasons we shouldn't be able to. That reason is:

1. Jesus.

That's it. Jesus. You see with God on our side, He makes a huge difference.

Jesus fills the empty spaces left by dysfunctional childhoods, allowing us to be filled by Him, instead of creating the unrealistic expectation of our spouse to complete us.

Jesus shows us grace and mercy for our tremendous short comings. By His example, we are able to forgive one another.

Jesus modeled servant leadership. That allows us both to not only lead lovingly, but to also die to self for one another. He also modeled marriage. Just as He is head of the church, He ordained that my husband is head of the family. I am learning to not only allow that as God leads, but also to accept the freedom that comes with it.

My husband and I may have started our relationship on "shaky ground." But now that we're standing firmly on the Rock, we can experience the abundant life Jesus offers us.  Our marriage is not perfect. We still struggle in some areas. We are still sinners.  But with Jesus on our side, we are more than victorious.

Ask Jesus into your marriage today. When you join with Him, despite what the world predicts, your marriage will not be easily broken.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com