Finding Charity in Your Marriage

Great reading this week.  I was really touched by the spirit as I read Goddard’s chapter on charity.  I loved what he shared from Elder Max Caldwell of the Seventy.  He said that, “The phrase ‘love of Christ’ might have meaning in three dimensions:  Love for Christ, Love from Christ, and Love like Christ.”  I love this, and it is so true.  As love and learn about Christ, we gain such a powerful love from Him.  Because we know Him and feel of His love, we are more likely to love like Him.  I feel that sometimes I am not showing true charity towards my spouse.  If I was, I would not pick out his faults or shortcomings, I would look over them and just love him.  I know that this is an area that I need to work on in my marriage.  I love what Goddard said after sharing the amazing story of John Glenn and his wife.  He said, “Instead of inconvenience and irritations, some see goodness and blessings.”  If everyone could understand this and understand the true meaning of charity, I believe there would be more successful relationships.

       Finally, at the end of the chapter the scripture 1 John 4:19 was referenced.  It reads, “We love him, because he first loved us.”  Then Goddard says, “Our partners will love us because we love them.  Don’t wait to be loved.”  This is so powerful to me.  I am constantly saying to myself that I would be better if my husband would do this better.  I can’t wait for that; I should love him now.  I just really loved that!

      In the final chapter of Gottman’s book, I loved the magic six hours.  Gottman talks about devoting six hours a week to your marriage.  He offers six simple activities that can be done each week as a refresher course to his book.  I just love this.  I plan on doing these steps each week with my husband.  The one that stood out the most to me was the “state of the union meeting”.  Taking an hour each week to discuss the positives and any problems that are occurring in your relationship.  I feel like this is going to foster good communication and really help to strengthen my marriage.