26 Feb Our Best Life Together
I think that it’s pretty common for people to idolise a Hollywood couple’s relationship, but unsurprisingly, we only ever get to see one side of that relationship – the side they want us to see. Yet, we always seem so shocked when The Hollywood Reporter breaks the news that yet another glorified marriage has come to a devastating end. Growing up, I saw a lot of failed marriages, including the failed marriage of my parents, which always made me wonder whether I was in for some sort of generational curse. Having married my husband when I was fresh out of high-school and only 19-years old, I knew I wanted our marriage to be the one that lasts so I looked to the strongest marriage I knew, to see what they did differently.
My grandparents have been married for almost 60-years. My gran still gets that school-girl giddiness while waiting for my oups to come home each day, she still giggles at him like when they were young and dating, and he still makes her heart pump custard. The first time my then-boyfriend, now husband, came over for dinner, he was so confused by my grandparents. He looked at me and whispered, “Are they always like this?” I was puzzled as nothing seemed out of the ordinary, then he said, “so lovey-dovey?” I burst out laughing and said, “Yes, of course!” Later that night on our drive back to my house, he explained that he had never seen a married couple so affectionate and in-love and that one day, he hoped to be just like them. Truthfully, I had become so used to seeing my grandparents love for one another that I didn’t appreciate the significance of their unity until it was pointed out to me.
My grandparents haven’t had a perfect marriage – but they fought for each other. They have learnt to make compromises along the way, they prioritise their time with each other even if it means just sitting in each other’s presence, and they worship God together.
My favourite memory of their love and acceptance of one another is that we all know and accept that my gran cannot cook. In fact, she’s the only person I have seen successfully burn a pot of water to the point that the pot melted. But every night, my oups would hold our hands in prayer, Thank God for the food and ask that the hands that prepared the meal be blessed, and then he’d proceed to eat whatever burnt meal was put in front of us, before saying, “Thanks, Pris.”. Without fail though, every night, at 8pm when the news would come on, I’d find him in the kitchen making a coney roll with peanut butter and syrup. He never complained, always said thanks, ate his food, but also made sure to bring home fresh rolls.
I hope and pray that my marriage continues to grow, and that in 50-odd years, I can look back on our relationship and see the same sort of love shared. To do that, I trust and lean into God for his wisdom and guidance – I know that I am not without my flaws, and sometimes my own stubbornness gets in my way, so it helps having Our Father shake some sense into me. Lately, I have been reading through a new devotional aimed at couples, that I thought would be a lovely addition to your bookshelf (and marriage), especially in time for Relationship month.
Whether you’ve been married a few months or a few decades, this encouraging daily devotional will help you find quiet moments together to strengthen your faith in God and renew your love for and commitment to your spouse.
In Our Best Life Together, Joel and Victoria Osteen want to encourage you in your marriage and remind you that God brought you together to help each other succeed and to become all He created you to be. There’s no better way to experience the fulfilling marriage God intends for you than to set aside a devotional time together each day and set your minds in the right direction for a positive, happy, faith-filled marriage. When you live together in unity, you honor God and open the door for His blessings to flow into every area of your life. If you will do your part, God will do His part, and you can live in love!
I love that this devotional has been written by a husband and wife team and that it’s honest and true. Besides being married, and parenting together, my husband and I also work together for the same company, from home – this can put all sorts of pressure on a relationship because work often can’t just be left at work. Having this devotional has reminded me that no marriage is without its challenges, but it reinforces that a marriage that is centred on God is able to weather the storms.
Besides this being a fantastic daily devotional for you and your husband, I also think this may be the best gift for newly weds or perhaps for an upcoming anniversary of a friend or loved one. Too often, we just think of ourselves – how we feel, how we are impacted, and how relationship obstacles are an inconvenience for us, but having that daily habit of coming together to discuss matters of the heart, pray together and be guided by the lessons that Joel and Victoria have drawn from the bible a fantastic way to start or end the day with your significant other and only helps to strengthen the relationship.
You can purchase your copy of Our Best Life from leading book stores including CUM Books.
I’m a coffee-wielding mood reader and romance book collector who may or may not have a slight addiction to buying books. I read a variety of sub-genres within romance, including rom-coms, dark romance, and fantasy. I love sharing my thoughts on books, whether it’s through book reviews, quotes, or recommendations inspired by my current reads. Through my romance book blog, Literary Inspired, I aim to provide in-depth book reviews, curated reading recommendations, and exclusive author promotions. I’m passionate about supporting indie authors and sharing my latest book discoveries with others. When I’m not reading, you can find me cheering on my favorite football team and F1 drivers, crafting, baking with my kids or playing with my pets.
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