Marriage Monday is back! Our topic this week is Gender Differences in Marriage and you can find some of the suggested prompts for writing here.
I often think that most of the differences German and I have are related to personality. He is the Extroverted Thinker and I'm the Introverted Feeler and that leads to all sorts of fun miscommunications. But now, as the parent of a little man who is oh-so-different from his sisters, I am recognizing more and more that some of the differences are simply gender.
In that thinking, I was most intrigued by the prompt of the differences in how we express our Christian Faith. This could easily be one of the areas that we are most divergent. I as a typical female will find myself caught in the emotion of worship; he will be more focused on particular aspects of the service. I'll leave with tear-streaked face and he'll leave wanting a concordance to check a reference. My commentary will be how something moved me, his will be how it challenged him. I will have noticed those around who seem to be struggling. When pointed out, he will have suggestions of how to meet needs. Diverging responses to the same service.
Neither response wrong.
Both responses needed.
And as we share them together (as we walk along the Rhine River from church to home), we find a completeness. I find the words to analyze and apply. He finds the emotions to express. We round out each other's experience with our own. We find wholeness.
Kind of like God planned it that way all along.
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
Genesis 2:24
Oh, maybe he did!
6 comments:
Thanks for sharing.
Love this post! Very well said, MiPa. Sounds like you two are perfect for each other.
It will be very interesting as you watch your little guy grow up to reflect his Daddy. I'm excited for you!
Thanks for linking up today.
Warm hugs, e-Mom
I can relate to this point because my hub is an extrovert thinker but then I am an extrovert feeler! Ha Ha! It's made for a lively marriage over the many years!
Dave was always pretty restrained during worship time. I would be the one who would be jumping around, hands up in the air, flailing (just kidding) but you get the picture.
After his battle with cancer last year combined with a message that our Pastor taught, I caught him one time (through a tear stained face) lifting his hand during praise and worship! I was kind of shocked to tell you the truth!
Since that time we'll actually hold hands and each of have the other hand lifted in praise. It doesn't mean we're right and others are wrong or that we're more spiritual than others. It works for us. One of the things that appealed to us when we first started going to our church was their concept of,
"Don't tell me I can't and I won't tell you that you have to."
If you don't want to raise your hands, not a big deal. You want to, not a big deal. Lots of freedom there and we love it!
Be blessed today!
Connie
You and your husband are such a wonderful match! Thank you very much for inspiring me with your post.
Very interesting observations, friend. I've never noticed them in us. Thank you.
I enjoyed reading your post for MM!! Thank you!! (I also tend to be a feeler.....)
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