Tom and I have enjoyed the new series on the life and ministry of Jesus titled, The Chosen. If you haven’t seen it yet, we highly recommend it. It’s unlike any production of this nature. It provides insight into the daily lives of those chosen to walk with Christ while He was here. And it is done well.
The following scene is one of our favorites. Simon (later called Peter) is married to Eden. He is in financial trouble, and Eden wants to have her sick mother live with them. Simon says they can’t afford this. Watch what happens…
I love this scene because it shows the struggle all marriages encounter–having a spouse disappoint you or act in a way that is contrary to what you would expect.
How do you deal with similar situations? How does your spouse deal with being confronted when necessary.
Trouble comes to all marriages. We have a choice to make when it comes. We can…
- Act in faith when our spouse brings up an area in need of change.
- Listen to what our spouse has to say, but ignore their suggestion.
- Lie to our spouse and say all is well, when we know it isn’t.
As you can see Simon tried all three, but it took his wife’s loving correction to opt for the first choice.
Marriage is teamwork. We need each other because we don’t think the same. This can be difficult, but it is good. If there is more than one way to solve a problem, Tom and I will most often have differing opinions. This used to drive us crazy. Now it makes us laugh. How can two people be so completely opposite, yet be so good for each other? God uses our differences to make us better. But we have an enemy who tries to use our differences to divide us.
I have learned more patience, since Tom likes to take his time making important decisions. And Tom has learned to be more spontaneous because I love to drop everything and go! We have achieved a healthy balance of both, but it didn’t come without lots of conflict.
What differences do you have in your relationship? Are you open about them? Or do you try to hide them avoiding conflict? Do you feel free to share a different perspective? Or does your spouse put you down for not agreeing with them?
How you answer these questions reveals how well you are working together as a team or against each other in conflict. No marriage has completely arrived. We all have work to do. We pray each year finds you leaning in and growing closer as a couple.
Date Night Prompt: Download The Chosen app on your iPhone or Google Play, and watch this excellent series together. Or better yet, purchase Season One on DVD. It is so good, and it will provide great discussion as you draw closer to Jesus together.
“I was one way and now I’m completely different. And the thing that happened in between … was Him.” – Mary Magdalene, The Chosen episode two
The Romantic Vineyard 
We’re very, very different;
time’s burst romantic bubble,
but if it’s not significant
it isn’t worth the trouble
to outline where our viewpoints part,
because they’re set in rock,
and there won’t be a change of heart
from another talk.
But we still bring the gifts we can,
imperfect, but we share
what’s limited in mortal man,
and thus still show we care,
and in that sharing we both see
hearts soften in God’s mystery.
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