The Gift Of The Red Rose

During the course of your marriage you will undoubtedly experience trials and tribulations. There may be times when you don't want to or don't know how to express love to your spouse.

When my husband and I got married, during our ceremony the pastor gave each of us a beautiful long stemed red rose to be our first gift exchanged between each other as husband and wife. The red rose has always been a symbol of love.

When those times occur, go get a single red rose or more if you like and place it in a spot that your spouse will notice. Even when times are hard, it will let your spouse know that you still love them and are willing to go through the hard times together. Even if your spouse doesn't respond favorably or even acknowledge your gift in the natural it will touch their spirit at some level.

Many times it is what we do more than what we say. It may take time for your spouse to respond, but we must stay the course and continue to express love to our spouse. Even when your marriage is going through a high point, leave the gift of the red rose. If you only do it when times are tough, your spouse may begin to suspect things are not as good as they think when they do receive a rose.

Your Trials and Tribulations

Each one of you are going to have a certain number of trials and tribulations that you will go through not only as husband and wife, but also as women and men. Remember even though marriage was created by God, he created men, then women, then marriage. Therefore it is important to remember that before we are married, we are men and women first. That means that we will have trials and tribulations that pertain to us in that manner.

What matters is how we handle them in our marriage when they do come, because they will come. It is just a matter of time. With every decision you make, you decide your focus. It is up to you to either give God the glory and ask the Holy Spirit to guide and direct your footsteps or to lean onto your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord will all thine heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths."

Never go to your spouse about something that is a trial or tribulation without taking it to God first. Listen to what God tells you. If you are obedient to the word of God, He will give the words, mannerisms, and guidance in how to approach your spouse so that the trial or tribulation can be resolved in a manner in which it gives God the glory.