Busy?

You thought you knew what “busy” meant when you were in college, juggling a part-time job, deadlines for projects, dating, helping at church with either the music or children’s program and of course still writing to mom once in a while. Compared to your life today, that wasn’t so busy after all. Now you are really busy, aren’t you?

Have you ever watched jugglers spinning plates on extended poles? The juggler has to keep each plate spinning fast enough to keep it from falling. Running from plate to plate, it eventually becomes impossible to keep every plate spinning and results in quite a crash! Does that sound like your life right now?

Being busy with “good” things can rob you of time for the “excellent” things. Here are some things I am thinking about lately as I work with folks who are newly married. I call these “Uncle Mike’s Ten Commandments” for newlyweds.

 1. Thou shalt honor the Lord your God by loving Him (Matthew 22:37).

 2. Thou shalt seek to manage wisely your schedule. Do not overload it to the point of being unwise (James 1:5).

 3. Thou shalt remember to seek the Lord daily, to worship Him and to ask for His wisdom, direction and strength for the day (Psalm 63:1-2, 8).

 4. Thou shalt not only love your mate; thou shalt tell your mate often of your love and then demonstrate it (Romans 5:8).

 5. Thou shalt take time to hold your mate. By the lingering hug, you will keep the romance alive like it was when you were dating. Linger in the embrace, kiss with more than a glancing blow before you depart for the day. Be affectionate when you return home.  (Song of Solomon 2:16).

 6. Thou shalt show your interest in the life and day’s events of your mate. Give your loved one undivided attention, listen with interest to his or her day, show that you care (Song of Solomon 5:16).

 7. Thou shalt seek to be good examples of the tremendous love Christ has for the church and the kind of respect the church has for Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33).

 8. Thou shalt put your mate above yourself and seek to make him or her the higher priority of your life (Philippians 2:4-5).

 9. Thou shalt seek to glorify God in your home and marriage (1 Corinthians 10:31).

10. Thou shalt call upon the Lord and ask Him to bless your mate and your marriage (Jeremiah 33:3).

Even though you are busy, when you practice these ten things consistently, soon they will become second nature. Your marriage will be blessed. You and your mate will be glad you did!