I remember when my husband and I were dating, I dreamed of being able to spend every day with him. We lived about an hour apart, so seeing each other wasn’t exactly convenient, especially with work and school. I dreamed of being able to fall asleep and wake up next to him, and I couldn’t wait to be married.
Don’t take him for granted
Fast forward a few years and now we’re married. I swore I’d never take that for granted, yet I often do. The other night I woke up in a panic over a nightmare I was having, paired with a terrible migraine. He got up, brought me a glass of water with my migraine medicine, and got back in bed. I scooted over, snuggled up next to my husband, and suddenly felt safe. I remembered back to when that’s all I wanted—when I could have done anything to just be married to him. God gave me such a beautiful gift—my husband—and it’s important not to take that for granted!
It’s easy to get caught up in your goals and plans as a couple, and to look forward to the future. Goals are a good thing, but can easily become obsessions. I find myself just wishing that we were a couple years down the road . . . that we could just get over the current hurdle. It’s difficult not to get impatient. We want to buy that house, get that degree, get that next job, and the list goes on. We’re constantly working towards the future and it’s easy to forget to enjoy the present, or the “in between” stages of our life; the stages when we’re job searching, saving for a house, or unsure what our next step will be.
Thanking God for the gift of your husband
When I’m filling my time worrying about the future, I’m missing out on opportunities to praise God for the wonderful gift I have in my husband.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!” –Psalm 105:1-3
Instead of constantly longing for the future, enjoy your time with your husband and cherish him! Every second you spend with your husband is a gift from God. Don’t ruin that time by getting too caught up in the future or the next step. Have fun together, and enjoy being married. Someday you’ll look back and realize that the “in betweens” were just as beautiful as the moments of accomplishment.
Enjoy your husband; one of your greatest gifts, thank God for him daily, and don’t ever take him for granted!
