Toy Stories: Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head — Beauty and Mystery vs. Boring and Monotonous - Thursday
Today’s Verse
Titus 2:6
…Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. (NIV)
“Then Michelle locked me out and wouldn’t open the door!” Ross burst into laughter as he finished the story. We all laughed with him.
“You got mad and just walked out of the house!” Michelle retorted, bringing clarity to an argument they’d had early on in their marriage. “So I made you promise not to do it again!”
It was another great dinner with the Barnette’s. Ross grilled the steaks to perfection, and Michelle baked my favorite brownies. But as usual, our favorite part came after the meal was over, sitting around their living room chatting about life, marriage—and everything in between.
On the surface, they’re the kind of couple who most people would assume are perfect. Michelle is warm and nurturing, having known Hannah since she helped lead a group of girls her age. Despite his achievements in the business world, Ross is humble and wise, having become one of several men who’ve helped fill a dad-sized hole since mine passed away. They have three children our age and a beautiful home.
But once they start telling stories from their thirty-plus years of marriage, you’ll quickly see they never pretend to have it all together.
“Heck, we got in a fight right before y’all got here!” Ross snickered. Really?
“It’s true!” Michelle smiled from the kitchen, shaking her head.
Don’t get me wrong, Hannah and I have never legitimately assumed their marriage was perfect. But we glean from their experience and always leave their home feeling encouraged—because we’re reminded that our marriage doesn’t have to be, either.
Ross and Michelle don’t make us think we have to have it all together—they just remind us of what it looks like when a marriage has Jesus.
Oftentimes I’ll hear from older couples who wrestle with feeling like they have nothing to offer this generation. The Apostle Paul would disagree.
He reminds his gospel co-worker, Titus, that young men and women desperately need older, wiser couples to pour into them, providing them with the kind of marital wisdom and encouragement that only comes from experience.
So, if you’re an older, married couple looking for Kingdom opportunities—invite a younger couple into your home this week. They’ll leave feeling hopeful because of you.
And you’ll feel helpful because of them.
APPLICATION
Who is someone younger in your life you can encourage with your experience? Who is someone older you can gain wisdom from?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for providing us with Godly wisdom. Help us to share that wisdom with others this week.
