The Duck Commander Devotional for Couples You Are Unique WEEK 1 THE STORY OF US LISA: We love hearing stories of how couples met, fell in love, and wound up getting married. There is a unique quality to every couple and how their relationship unfolded. Our own story is a testament of how crazy love can be! I loved Al from the moment I laid my eyes on him in our little country middle school way back in 1977. I was a gawky sixth grader, and he was a brand-new eighth grader all the girls were after. I can''t explain why, but somehow I knew that one day we would be together and he would be my knight in shining armor! AL: I never even noticed my younger admirer because I was too busy enjoying all the attention I was getting from other girls! Not until the last days of my senior year in high school did Lisa finally catch my eye, but unfortunately, my life was spiraling out of control with drugs and alcohol. Also unfortunately, I took advantage of Lisa''s love and treated her badly, then broke her heart on my way out of town. After coming to my senses and coming home to Christ and my family, I remembered that girl who loved me so deeply, and I reached out to see if she might be willing to reconnect. LISA: I went into my own tailspin when Alan left me, and I had a lot of bad experiences with guys.
When he called me after two years, I should have been furious, but instead I was elated. This was the man I had always known I would spend the rest of my life with. We started dating again, and within a year we were married and building a family and life together. For the past thirty years we have had our share of ups and downs, but we are still in love and growing in our relationship every day. We give glory to God for delivering us from past mistakes and live daily to meet the needs of each other. We pray for a future that deepens our family legacy of faith and ultimately leads to everlasting life in heaven. We encourage you to appreciate the uniqueness of your mate and be willing to give each other the best of what God has given you. God''s Blueprint: Putting God''s Word into Your Relationship Read the following scripture together and out loud.
PSALM 107:1-2 GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER. LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD TELL THEIR STORY. Think back to when you first met and share your unique stories with each other. 1. When did you know that you wanted to spend the rest of your life with each other? 2. What obstacles did you have to overcome in order to be together? Think about your individual and "together" issues. 3. What positive action did your loved one take to help overcome these obstacles? 4.
Looking back, did those obstacles help and/or hurt your relationship? In what ways? 5. Do you believe God played a part in your being together? If so, how? Home Improvement: Start Where You Are and Grow 1. What goals did you have when you first got married? 2. Have you met those goals? If so, how? If not, then why not? 3. What goals do you hope to reach in the future? 4. Share personal goals as well as goals for your relationship together. Record some of the goals you hope to reach in the future. Then you can refer to your notes later to see how you have grown.
HER THOUGHTS HIS THOUGHTS Team Building: Grow Closer to Each Other as You Talk to God Together You may not be used to praying together, but give it a try--even if you''re nervous. When your hearts are open to God in prayer, you''ll find that many of your defenses toward each other melt away. Read our prayers together--maybe the men can read Al''s and the women read Lisa''s--and then pray your own prayers out loud. AL: Lord, I am very grateful you watched over us as we got our acts together and found one another. Thank you for your grace, which offered me new hope and allowed me to see my bride for the woman you made her to be. We are grateful for the years and for the uniqueness of us. We look forward to being with you in heaven, forever, because of Christ, amen. LISA: Father, I am so thankful you blessed me with my soul mate.
It took a while and at times looked doubtful, but you knew just when the timing was right. Thank you, God, for your perfect timing. Thirty-plus years ago I said "I do" and I still say I do. Please, Father, be with us for the next thirty-plus years and help us to always count on you and your timing for our lives. Until you return, through Jesus I pray, amen.