Novelist Julie Arduini talks marriage in today’s post!
It’s funny the things God uses to teach me about Him and my life. I’m a visual learner so imagine my surprise when my latest a-ha moment was from snow.
I live in Ohio where snow can fall anywhere from late October to April. When the forecasters start talking about the potential for fluffy white flakes, no matter how many years I’ve seen it, there seems to be an anticipation. A wonder as the snow falls for the first time to catch it on eyelids, make snow angels, or take a walk in the evening.
Even if Thanksgiving is weeks away, something about that first snow of the season makes Christmas music in the stores enjoyable, not annoying. Light displays pop up around the neighborhood and I want to drive around and take it all in.
That first snow is beautiful. Pure. Romantic.
Fast forward to January, February. Or in the case of Winter 2013-14, March and a little bit of April. The mere mention of a word that starts with “s” sends me cringing. A text alert telling me school is closed because of snow is frustrating. When the roads clear and I can finally get out and drive, romantic is the last thing I’m feeling towards the white stuff. It’s grimy and ugly. How can the same snow that had me running outside in childlike glee in December be the same thing that I don’t even want to look at in March?
And there it is.
Marriages sadly can become the same predicament. The same for our relationship with Christ. In both cases everything is new. There’s anticipation and joy even in the most mundane things. It’s hard to imagine ever being frustrated or bored. But week after week, year after year, and the feelings wane. What used to be exciting is a nuisance. A burden.
Don’t let your marriage and walk with the Lord turn stormy because your vision is clouded by what appears to be mundane. Pray for His vision to see the blessings in your life as He does. Choose oneness and unity when the little resentments threaten your peace.
And if the weather allows, take a romantic stroll in the snow. It won’t be the white stuff on the ground that makes it dreamy, but the one you take with you.
About Julie
Julie Arduini is an author with a passion to encourage readers to find freedom through surrender. Her first Adirondack contemporary romance, Entrusted, gives readers hope to surrender fear. A Walk Through the Valley will soon be available as an infertility devotional with 5 other authors. She blogs every other Wednesday at Christians Read and is a frequent contributor to Jasmine’s Place. To learn more about her writing and love of chocolate, visit http://juliearduini.com. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two children.
About Entrusted
Jenna Anderson, sassy city-girl, plows–literally–into Adirondack village, Speculator Falls with a busted GPS. She gets a warning from the sheriff but has ideas for the senior center to prove she belongs in town as their director. Town councilman Ben Regan is as broken as the flower box Jenna demolished. He’s grieving and wants to shut down the center before there’s too much change and heartbreak. They work on community projects and build a slow relationship, but the council needs to vote on the senior center’s future. Can Jenna show Ben both her and the center are worth trusting?
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