~Appreciate Your Spouse~
~Buoyancy in Marriage~
~Consult Your Partner~
Dream Together
When you are already connected as a couple, already working hard together toward common goals, already on the same page in the important areas of life – and then you ask yourselves, “How can God best use us as a couple for His glory and purposes?” – something pretty amazing begins to happen. Read the rest of Dream Together (Part One) here
God’s Marriage Math – Matt’s Thoughts
Dreaming together is part of a healthy marriage for at least three reasons. First, dreaming together implies that you anticipate a hopeful future. That alone infuses your relationship. The power of positive thinking is extraordinary and energizing?. It is exciting to think about what can be accomplished together. It doesn’t end with just a dream though. Act on it. Make goals and have a plan to fulfill the goals. As you make progress, celebrate with each other and keep the momentum rolling.
Second, dreaming together demonstrates how two become one in marriage. The concept of two becoming one, as stated in Genesis 2:24 and quoted by Jesus and the Apostle Paul, incorporates more than a physical union. You are uniting numerous facets including your ambitions. Instead of two people going in different directions only pursuing their own goals, a merging occurs. Your combined abilities, experience, and passions create an incredible God blessed synergy. The two of you, empowered by God, produce more than the sum of your work individually. God’s math equations look like this:
Two become One 1 + 1 = 1
Synergy 1 + 1 > 2
Third, dreaming and praying together about those dreams unleashes God’s promise in Ephesians 3:20-21 which reads, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” In our dreaming phase we are imagining great works being accomplished for the Lord. Then the Lord takes it and multiplies it beyond what we can even imagine. We bring a sack lunch to Jesus – like the boy who brought some bread and fish (John 6:1-15) – and He multiplies it into a feast for all…with leftovers. So dream big!
Sack Lunch – Laura’s Thoughts
Because food is “my thing”, I love what Matt said about bringing a sack lunch to Jesus and watching him multiply it. As a couple, we can and should dream big. We can fill our lunch bag with some pretty exciting foods, including juicy fresh fruit and rich desserts – but Jesus is the one that actually makes our offerings become something wonderful. That’s what he does with our dreams.
Or sometimes, He might exchange our sack lunch offering with a different one – one that we’d never thought of and one that is much better for us as a couple and as a family. This can sometimes be painful, but as we see God’s great plans for us unfold and recognize that these plans were born out of our kingdom focused dreams, we see that God’s plans for us are truly more than we could ever ask or imagine.
Start dreaming. God is huge!
How have you dreamed together and then saw how God made it more than you could imagine?
Ladies, we know you’re reading here more often than the guys. ;) We’d love husbands to read this article as well. If you feel so inclined please send the link to your husbands, or if it’s easier, we’ve created a downloadable article for you to quickly print off and share. Healthy Marriage Tips Ato Z – Dream Together
What an inspiring post! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Thanks for sharing… and you guys hit it right on with doing goals as a couple and dreaming big… I’m sure you have your kids write down goals too… they aren’t too young… get them involved! It’s amazing watching my brother’s fam with 6 kids making goals and meeting them and doing some awesome things for God. Thanks again for these posts and encouragement.
I’ve been following along with this series and forwarding the emails to my husband. This article prompted me to plan a “Dream” Date with him. So, tomorrow night after the kids are in bed, we are going to sit down with a legal pad and pen… and probably a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream… and pray and dream.
Thanks so much!
What a great idea Tabitha!
Laura, I want to thank you and Matt for your insight and thoughts. My husband and I have had a good marriage, however, last summer our then 10 month old daughter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy hemiparisis, and everything went down the tubes from our finances to our dreams together. We are struggling now not to be at each others throats about every little detail of our lives as we attempt to cope with the reality of raising a special needs child. Now Charlotte is almost two, and her younger brother is 8 months. I want to be a good mother to them, but it is hard when I don’t feel like I am supporting or getting the support I need from my husband… I don’t know why I am sharing all of this with complete strangers… Somehow…
Sometimes it’s easier sharing with strangers and sharing is good. :) Thanks for opening up your heart.
Just a thought – I find that the more I treat Matt with respect and kindness, the more he shows love and kindness to me. As tough as it is as a mom with two tiny ones, one of them being special needs, be intentional about showing loving respect to your man. It’s likely that the support from him that you so desparately need will follow.
You didn’t ask for advice, but that’s just the first thing that popped into my head. :) Blessings to you!
Thank you Laura… Your kindness means a lot to me. After I wrote that post, Michael and I sat down and had a long talk, we made up a plan for future difficulties. We are trying to understand that we are on each others side and not opponents. Thank you for your insight and for taking a moment to comment. blessings.