A Good Word Wednesday #54 FORTY

A little bit of goodness in your mailbox today 👩‍❤️‍👨👓

Good Word of the Day: FORTY

You may be familiar with the importance of the number 40 in the Bible. You can find it 159 times, across both the Old and New Testaments. God flooded the earth for 40 days and nights. Moses fasted for 40 days, and Jesus wandered the wilderness for 40 days. It’s a number associated with testing and the hardships required to become more spiritually aware. I’ve gathered a few scriptures about 40 in the section below.

For Johnny and I, we definitely have a few insights about this word/number. This Sunday, July 30th, 40 years ago in East Camden, Arkansas, we said to each other, “I pledge my life to you in the love of Jesus Christ our Lord.” Has there been testing? Yes. Hardships? Of course. But are we more spiritually mature? Gosh, I hope so. I thought 40 sounded amazing until I saw that a sweet couple in our church is soon celebrating their 70th. Imagine the wisdom they have to offer.

This week, I have a list of four insights we have gained in our 40 years. I thought it excessive to list 40, so I decided on the top four, to represent each decade. Below, Johnny has shared with you two insights and I follow with two more. Of course, I’d love to hear your thoughts and good words for a long, happy marriage.

Johnny’s Good Words:

1. Now

   “No matter what, I’ve never had it so good. It is easy to romanticize the past or worry about the future. However, the best is always right now. Live in the now with the one God gave to make life the best for you.”

2. Different

   We’re different and that’s a good thing. God brings a ‘helpmeet’ into your life that fills in the gaps. In the selection of a “helpmeet”, God shows his sense of humor in matching you with a person that thinks differently than you, sees things in a different perspective than you and communicates differently than you. These differences can and will lead to conflict. It can be painful to go through the process at times as you are molded into “One Flesh.” But, it is these very conflicts that God uses to make you a better person. We are better together than we are as individuals. Through DeAnna, I have learned to be tuned in more to feelings of others rather than to just focus on the goal ahead. What have I taught her? Well…. I am not sure. Maybe she can write about it some time. Perhaps, I have helped her to be less anxious about things and to trust God. You can’t change anything through worry, but God can change all things to the good of those who love him.”

   

DeAnna’s Good Words:

3. Together

   Stop and enjoy the moments today. Life moves way too fast. Take time to enjoy it together. Create good memories together as a family and as a couple. We didn’t establish a regular date night until our kids were grown and gone. We should have started it sooner. Now, Friday date nights have grown into Adventure Fridays. We go somewhere we normally wouldn’t go, eat good food and sometimes take a hike, or shop or visit a museum. We make an effort to create time together. (By the way, Adventure Friday was Johnny’s idea. When retirement started for him last fall, this was one activity he added to our weekly calendar.)

4. Priorities

   I’ve learned many good things from Johnny, but one of the things he continues to teach me is the value of priorities. When he was working full time, he knew how to leave work in the office and engage with me and our kids at home. I’ve learned that our priority list should be (1) God. (2) Each other. (3) Family. (4) Church. (5) Work…. and everything else. Honestly, I’ve struggled with this through the years. I’ve loved my work. Maybe a little too much. It’s been good work that has allowed me to help people through my writing, through church, through mission-focused nonprofits. But that is not as important as my relationship with God and my relationship with my husband.

What would your list include? I’d love to know.

Wednesday in the Word

“And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.” Genesis 7:12

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry”. Matthew 4:1-2

Note: I always thought this verse was the biggest understatement in the Bible. I’m sure He was ravenous after forty days. I feel like I’m starving after fasting one meal!

Share Your Good Words

On your wedding day, what is one thing you wish you had known about being married that you know now? What one piece of advice would you give to engaged couples?

Good Unseen People

Photo: She Is Safe

The following excerpt is from a story that will be included in my upcoming book, Unseen People: Sharing Life and Light with Your Neighbors and the Nations. Click the link below to see the progress of the book.

I’ve earned the right to tell you, enjoy your children at every phase of life. Don’t wish away any of it, even if it’s the challenging toddler years or teenage years. You don’t get those years back. Savor them. Treasure them in your heart. And remember…

It’s a short trip from baby corner to family wall.

Read the whole story: The Short Trip from Baby Corner to Family Wall

Good Words I Recommend

A Good Blog: This was written on anniversary #39. I include another short list of lessons learned along the way. The two shall become one

A Good Podcast: I had the lovely experience of being a guest on this podcast last week. It will air sometime in October. Check out how to use your God-given time, treasures and talent. Inspired Stewardship, Host: Scott Maderer Inspired Stewardship Podcast

A Good Video: God Glasses Video The podcast host mentioned above told me about this short video recorded years ago. It builds on the quote from Plato, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” Who are the unseen people in your daily life? Do you know what kind of day they are having?

A Good Book: If I had space in this newsletter today, I would have mentioned the importance of communication in marriage. Check out this resource from the author of the Love Language series. Now You're Speaking My Language, Gary Chapman.

Some of the links above are associate links. That means, when you click and purchase, I receive a small percentage of that sale. Those funds, as well as funds from paid subscribers, supports my writing this piece each week. Thank you! I commit to forwarding a minimum of 10% to the amazing nonprofits: She Is Safe and The Red Cord. They help raise awareness of sex trafficking. They help prevent, rescue and restore victims to new life.

A Final Good Word

Just in case you didn’t get a chance to read my blog listed above, The two shall become one, here are three of my pieces of advice to married couples I included in that article:

1. Realize that you aren’t always right. It’s ok to be wrong sometimes. Admit it. You can let your spouse be right, on occasion.

2. Quickly following number one is, say you are sorry. Say it often. And mean it.

3. Get involved in a church as soon as you can. You need to surround yourself with a church family. They will become your family as you worship, serve and share life together through the years.

   And one I should add concerning raising children I wish I had done better:

4. Do discipleship in your home. Don’t leave the raising of your children spiritually to the church. Of course, strong children’s and student programs are vital, but it’s your responsibility to show and share Christ with your family every day.

If you haven’t already, please share wisdom you’ve gained through your married life. Tell me how long you’ve been married and something you’ve learned along the way. We could all learn from each other’s experiences. Please share:

DeAnna’s email: deannalynnsanders@gmail.com

Thank you for taking your time to read my words. And if you would, please share a good word with someone today. Invite others into our Good Word community.

Gratefully yours,