Rejoice

In Daily Devotional, Family, Marriage by Jeff Stearns

Theme of the Week: The Marriage Promise

Bible Verse:  “Let your fountain be blessed, and take pleasure in the wife of your youth.” Proverbs 5:18, CSB

Scripture Reading: Song of Songs 8:6-7

Jacqueline and I have five kids. It is an understatement to say that when we were first married, it was easier to spend time together. In “Life Before Kids” we could go out for supper, to friends’ houses, to the movies or even just out for a walk whenever we wanted. We could jump in the car and go camping for a weekend on a whim, without planning and packing luggage into the minivan like it was some sort of three dimensional game of Tetris. Life seemed carefree. At least, that is how I remember it. If I think harder, I might be off a little bit. Maybe.

One Christmas, when the kids were young, we were given gift certificates for a restaurant. It took almost two years before we got around to using them. It is hard to find baby sitters for five kids.

Now that the oldest kids are old enough to look after the others, we have started to go out more often. It is great!

I tell you this to let you know I understand it is hard to find time to spend together. When the kids were younger, we spent most of our alone time together after they had fallen asleep and before we collapsed into bed. In different stages of life, it will be hard to find the time. But it is worth it. Spending time with Jacqueline reminds me why I fell in love with her and helps that love continue to grow.

Proverbs tells us to rejoice in our wife. It is hard to rejoice in someone from a distance. You need to spend time together to create those opportunities. You need to take what moments you can.

Take some time to plan your next date.


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About
Jeff Stearns
Jeff has been married to Jacqueline since the last century and they have five amazing children together. He was part of the Impactus | Promise Keepers Canada team for over thirteen years and is now the pastor at Garrison Road Church in Fort Erie, Ontario.
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Jeff Stearns
Jeff has been married to Jacqueline since the last century and they have five amazing children together. He was part of the Impactus | Promise Keepers Canada team for over thirteen years and is now the pastor at Garrison Road Church in Fort Erie, Ontario.