Adjusting to married life was a very interesting process in more
ways than one. Sometimes I found myself wondering if every newly-wed
couple had to go through the same process of adjusting like we did. And I
wished someone could have told me what exactly to expect, so that I
would feel like I was better prepared. You know how you ask your friends
who recently got married, "So how is married life?" and they just say
"It's fine, it's wonderful!". You wish they would say more, but you
don't know how to ask. The truth is though, that no matter how much
people tell you before, you have to experience some things for yourself.(i will emphasize that to the end,somethings you will learn on your own gurlie..liz ha!!)lol
Here's an example of something I wish somebody told me earlier.
In my last three years as a single girl, I had developed a close
relationship with God. I used to worship, pray and read my bible every
day without fail. I enjoyed spending time in my Heavenly Father's
presence as much as I could. I could pour out my heart to my God anytime
and He always answered me. I always felt that I was God's special
daughter and nothing could take away that wonderful relationship from
me. God's love and His presence was always around me. My heavenly father
was a big guiding factor in everything I did because I always made sure
I consulted Him before making any big decisions. He was the main "man"
in my life and my world revolved around Him.
A few months after I finished my Masters degree and moved back home,
I suddenly noticed something odd. Something was definitely different in
my Christian life, God was out! I had gotten so excited about having a
new permanent man in my life that I had edged God out and didn't crave
His presence anymore. In the middle of adjusting to married life, having
a husband and becoming a wife, my heavenly Father had taken a back
seat! My time, my focus and my mind was now filled with thoughts of my
husband 24/7 that I didn't have time for God anymore. In essence, I had
replaced God with hubby. At first I was slightly worried but I didn't
know what to do. I didn't think I had done it on purpose, it just
happened that way..... I didn't know whether to feel guilty about it or
not..... I didn't know whether this was quite a normal thing to happen
to other newlywed brides...... I didn't know whether it was just me
getting carried away with my new status. So I didn't do anything, I
didn't even discuss it with hubby.
As time went on though, I began to question myself. Why have I
replaced God with my husband? Isn't that dangerous? Hubby might be a
good man and all, but really nobody can and should take the place of God
in my life. I couldn't even pray any more because I had lost the urge
to! So I started fretting and making myself confused and worried. Until
one day I decided to call my pastor's wife to ask her if she had
experienced the same thing when she first got married. I hoped she would
then be able to give me some advice. When I called the pastor, I asked
to speak to his wife but she was not around. He could tell I was
distressed about something so he asked what the matter was. I told him
everything I had been feeling and surprisingly he laughed! He said it
was alright and God understands, and He was not angry with me for
working on bonding with my husband. He also said that the fact that I'm
worried about it shows that I am missing something, so I should just
relax and allow myself to slowly get back in tune with God.
It was such a relief to hear that! Afterwards I went to pray and it
was something along the lines of: "Lord please help me, it's no more
just me and You, it's now Me, You and Him so I need Your wisdom to guide
me so I can balance having both of you in my life".
About a week later, I was chatting online to a friend of mine from
uni and she asked me how married life was going. I told her what I had
recently prayed about. To my surprise she said that in her fellowship
group, there was a newly-wed lady who recently shared with them about
going through the exact same thing! The lady said that she also felt
guilty for spending all her time with her husband and not enough time
with God anymore! I was really glad to hear this. I felt like it was
God's way of telling me that I'm not alone and it's quite normal!
Thankfully with time, prayers and patience I got back in touch with
God and I've been able to balance both relationships. God now has His
rightful place in my life, and hubby has his right place in my life too.
Hubby and I now have our separate quiet time with God, and then have
our couple time with God together. It makes me wonder though, how much
adjusting I would have to do when children come into the relationship
and I have to divide my time, attention and focus even more.
PS;dug this out from archives as told by my old friendie :)lol
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