On your wedding

Now that you’re married, Jack, this will be the last time I tell you what to do… [Do you believe that? It’s true]

Cherish your wife, Jack. A wedding is publicly committing to marriage before family and friends, and before God. But truly cherishing is unseen and in your heart and something Bridget will feel and know if you:

-Listen to her – hear her words and take them to heart

-Encourage her and adopt her desires, hopes and dreams as your own.

-Set your goals with her in mind

-Never miss an opportunity to lighten her load

-Tell her and show her your appreciation for even the smallest things

-Treat her like the sweet soul she is who is deeply and thoroughly loved by God.

I tell you this because your first day as a married couple won’t be the most important day. The most important day—I pray, the most glorious day in your marriage—will be your last day together on this earth. I want you to be holding hands with Bridget thinking about your happiest moments, about all the challenges you overcame that made you stronger. I want you to look back on your wedding day and also the amazing life you built together.

If you do these things, my wish for you and Bridget will come true… that you grow old on one pillow.

Worry

Whenever I see a bird, it reminds me not to worry. It’s because of this passage in the Bible:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:25-27 NIV

This was from Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount, which tells us that worry is both unnecessary and unhelpful.

If I find myself worrying about something, I ask myself this question: Can I change it?

If the answer is yes, then do so as soon as possible. No need to worry. If the answer is no, then worrying about it is useless. If you’re not sure—pray about it, then trust God to guide you to a solution or acceptance of the situation. Again, no need to worry because God has promised to take care of all the needs of those who trust in him.

“God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV

It takes practice not to worry because we’re human—the only living being God made that is capable of worry. When I catch myself worrying or in other words, meditating on a problem or issue, I mindfully picture myself putting the problem in a box, covering it with a lid, tying a bow around it, and lifting it up to God to deal with. I take a deep breath and let it lift off my shoulders.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

How to pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for taking this worry from me. I pray for your good and perfect will in this situation. Help me recognize your hand in it and trust that you have it covered.

Make your bed

I knew it! The countless times over many years that I harped on you to make your bed was actually extremely sound advice.

In fact, one of the most acclaimed leaders of our time wrote a best-selling book entitled, Make Your Bed.

Admiral William H. McRaven served as a Navy SEAL for 37 years and led the United States Special Operations Command. This unit was responsible for commanding combat for missions such as the capture of Saddam Hussein, the rescue of Captain Phillips, and the raid for Osama bin Laden.

The book was based on a graduation speech he gave at his alma mater, the University of Texas. In his speech he says, “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and encourage you to do another task; and another; and another. And by the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed,” said the Admiral.

“Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you’ll never be able to do the big things right. And if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made… that you made. And a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.”

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.” Luke 16:10 NLT

Power in Gentleness

Typically, when someone raises their voice to you, you raise your voice back. And, a likely scenario is that your voices—and the situation—keeps escalating.

Here’s a tip that if you can master, will save you a lot of heartache and conflict in your life: When other people raise their voice, lower yours.

The Bible says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1 NIV).

Gentleness defuses conflict. It deescalates anger. It’s called strength under control. When someone raises their voice in anger, instead of getting defensive, practice gentleness. Let your gentle answer disarm the other person and calm the situation.

“But the fruit of the Spirit [God’s Holy Spirit] is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)

Since gentleness comes from God, it carries with it divine power.

Inspired by a devotional written by Rick Warren; photo: Grandma and Grandpa’s baby goats