Read time: 1 min, 10 secs

KJ, one of the spouses participating in the challenge sent this in:

I have to work on the word love in my marriage its hard. When your spouse is on drugs been off and on this has torn our family and been leaving in out our home like for weeks or almost a month . Now he wants me to return the love back to him and its hard i want to but its hard.

Reading about KJ's situation is hard. Living in her situation has to be harder. 

One of the things that jumps out at me is that KJ and her husband both need God's grace.

John 1:16, speaking of Jesus, says, "For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."

The word grace has a lengthy definition in its original language. However, this phrase jumped out at me:

...merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith...

KJ and her husband have received this merciful kindness. You and your spouse have received this merciful kindness. My wife, Cetelia, and I have received this merciful kindness. 

God is exerting his only influence over our souls. It's turning us to him. It's keeping, strengthening, and increasing us in the Christian faith.

We have received this grace in abundance.

God is with you today. He's active in your life, and that includes your home, marriage, and family.

He's aware of the ups and downs. He's aware of your fears, disappointments, struggles, and anxiety. He's aware of the things you can't control.

He knows. he cares, and he's exerting his holy influence upon you today.

Grace upon grace.

Kevin

ps - if this helped or inspired you, do two things ...

1) Reply and let me know. I read every message.

2) Send this link to a friend so they can get in on the action: http://marriage.works/inspiration