Saturday, September 9, 2017

Work: Five Minute Friday

Oh my friends, I miss you! Here is my submission for this week's Five Minute Friday Linkup.
The prompt is "Work", which is my large reason for less contributions to FMF in general. :)

Go!

Work is not a word that is all negative. In fact, it's a compliment to be labeled a "hard worker". We are encouraged to work hard, to be diligent and not lazy.
When, however, we have to "put in the work", the tone of the word can take on a negative connotation.
The same is true in marriage.
This Monday, my husband and I will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary.
For the most part, we've worked hard to work together and work things out.
And, most of the time, we don't have much to work out.
This past week was a week of hard work, most likely because I'm "back to work" as a school teacher. We're just not getting much time together and he's been helping catch up some of my house work to ease my burden but it's not gaining us any time.
We had an opportunity to talk about it and work it out. It wasn't really a fun or easy conversation, but the beauty of 13 years is that we are understanding each other better. We know what the other needs, but don't always recognize an unmet need in that area without a floodlight or a magnifying glass or a megaphone in those times of emptiness.
Company Christmas party 2004 (still newlyweds)

Myself and Dave on the first day back to school (and his amazing Barracuda behind us)
http://dartslantsix.wordpress.com to follow his rebuild adventures


I am so so thankful that neither of us enjoy stewing and punishing the other with our hurt feelings. That our parents are still married (for both of us! it's rare with friends our ages) is one contributing factor, but I think that the work you put in yields you the reward.

So, if you're married, commit to working it out. If you're not married, don't rush into it until you know that they're willing to work at it until it works.
And, if God's not at the center of your marriage? You're going to have to work so much harder to keep it together. He is our third strand that keeps us tightly woven. Even if one of the strands would be removed, He would still be tightly wound with the other strand.

~Tammy

12 comments:

  1. Beautiful friend! God is that third strand indeed. Happy Anniversary! I'm in the 33 spot this week.

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    1. Tara,
      I'm sorry I haven't made it to your post yet, but I thank you so much for being here for me. Congratulations on your new position. You're a perfect fit!!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  2. Congratulations on 13 beautiful years of being together and working hard to create something lasting and meaningful. Your insights are so true - sometimes we do expect things to come to us or fall in our laps, but that really doesn't bear out in reality.

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    1. Thank you Emma! It's so good to hear from you! It's our first full week back and I'm quite behind on replies.
      Love,
      Tammy

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  3. Tammy, kind of too ill to be saying much but I LOVE this post and the pictures!

    B's dad was a Chrysler engineer, and owned a 'Cuda.

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    1. Andrew,
      oh your words are precious. Thank you and I am so honored that you took the effort to say all you did.
      Love,
      Tammy

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  4. Oh good gravy I just commented and it all disappeared.

    Tammy, I loved your post and your encouragement for newly marrieds, marrieds and those who want to get there to be ready and willing to work. My husband and I have been married for 10 years and since June we are in a totally new environment having moved across the country for me to work in a ministry here. My husband has been amazing.
    We are trying to sell a home and we have definitely had moments of needing to communicate when things don't go right and allow one another to feel without the other feeling blame. God has been so good.
    I pray that you enjoy the upcoming school year and that you and your husband will continue to be blessed.

    Have a wonderful Sunday.

    Kelly (#70 this week)

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    1. Kelly,
      he sounds like a wonderful husband! I pray that you are equally blessed!
      (And you had me at good gravy, except that I detest all gravy. ha ha ha)
      Love,
      Tammy

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  5. Yep! They never tell you in the romances that keeping the romance alive requires hard work! Congratulations on your 13 years of hard work--may God continue to bless your marriage!

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    1. Thank you Anita!
      :) I'm so so grateful we got time in real life. Your pictures have been stunning lately! Blessings to you and to the Senor!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  6. Congratulations to you and your husband. Your post is a helpful reminder that the relationships we value are worth the hard work necessary for them to thrive. Blessings.

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    1. Esther,
      thank you. And I love your name. It is a perfect fit for you and your stand for courage and righteousness. Thank you again for your blessings!
      Love,
      Tammy

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