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Better Than Newlyweds

Where the Honeymoon never ends!

Waiting on God is hard | Stacy Hudson | Better Than Newlyweds

November 14, 2016 by Mrs. Hudson

Waiting on God is hard. Waiting on God patiently is unnatural. Patience to wait on God is spiritual. After all, God is Love and “Love is patient”.

“4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 [b]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails;” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Tonight I was able to cross something off my bucket list. I have always wanted to get a picture of the moon. I wanted a picture where you can see the dips and surface changes. I knew it could be done but I had never been able to do it. I knew it was the super moon and so I thought it was worth a shot. I had to try out several settings and be patient with myself. I had to wait each time to see the picture load and if it had worked. When it worked I laughed with excitement! It was amazing to see the details of the moon. It was a special moment… a moment of worship really… and I thanked God for it. It was a moment to be still and in awe.

super moon

I write a lot about being still. I think that is because I have a hard time with it and God knows that. I want to be able to do something. I want to be able to fix it myself. I have always been independent. Just ask my mom.

The thing about a relationship with Jesus is we have to be still. When we are waiting on God to move we must be still. When we know we have done all we have been asked of God we must trust Him to do the rest. And in the waiting…we must rest.

My friend, Ailie from Pen Paper Paint recently wrote:

“Fixating on a situation that is not coming right or a prayer that is not being answered will merely result in disappointment and further dismay. Focusing on how the situation isn’t turning around isn’t going to make it improve. On the contrary, we need to lift our eyes off our frustrating circumstances and onto God. We need to ask God to open our eyes to see what he is doing in our lives, what breakthroughs we are experiencing no matter their size.”

“Love rejoices with the truth” 1 Corinthians 13:6

The truth is that God has good plans for us. He is worthy of our trust. When I try to fix things on my own it is because I am not trusting God and His timing. I am putting my faith in the wrong person or the wrong thing. No amount of my planning or doing can bring about the results of God’s blessings. They will fall short every time. But if I trust God and wait on His will the blessings will come. The time we spend waiting on God is the time God uses to teach us.

“Real life, though an adventure, is far from a day at an amusement park. Too often, we want a FastPass straight through God’s pauses to move directly to His plan. But God seldom hands out passes so we can avoid the wait and skip to the front of the line.
And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as painful as it feels at the time.
A rush through the wait has the potential to stunt our spiritual growth and dull our senses to what God wants us to learn. As the apostle James tells us in today’s key verse, God wants us to “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4).
James advises those who follow Jesus not to take the FastPass through tests and challenges. He says that a pause will actually work in our favor. Our faith will mature, and we will become well-developed women of God, ready for all the good works He has prepared for us. God is the Creator of time. We can trust His pauses to be purposeful and perfectly arranged. God will make the most of our pause, and we should too.
– See more at: http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devo/fast-pass-please/#sthash.fNMaN0Ut.dpuf”

What are you waiting on God for?

What are you waiting on for your marriage? Is it for your husband to come to Christ? Is it for you husband to come home? Is it for you to be able to trust or be trusted again? Whatever it is…God can do it. Just wait.

Filed Under: Marriage Monday Tagged With: blessings, Christ, God is Love, today

Are you thinking of your spouse? Guest Blogger : Megan Reaux | Better Than Newlyweds

March 13, 2016 by Guest Blogger

This cup of coffee means so much more than just a cup of coffee.

Every morning and I mean every morning Jonathan gets up with whoever woke up first and makes me a cup of coffee for when I get up. He knows I’m not a good morning person and that this helps me transition better into the day. He’s done this since our first morning together. (Minus the kid part)

I never asked him to do it he never complains about it, it’s just one of those things he does for me that says I love you. I have never once made myself a cup of coffee… sounds crazy right. This is two fold, he doesn’t like to clean or do laundry. He’s only a handful of times done these things since we’ve been married not because he doesn’t want to, can’t do it or that he thinks its beneath him but because I love doing that for him. I enjoy doing the things he doesn’t. I do it before he gets the chance so he doesn’t have to. How cool would it be when we are all old and our kids are grown they can say I always saw my dad fix my mom a cup of coffee in the morning while she slept and usually was the last to get out of the bed and you know dad hated cleaning and mom always just did that for him so he didn’t have to!

I hope and pray that that is what my kids see about our marriage that we loved each other that much that they see we always tried to show love to the other by doing things for each other… especially the things that the other person didn’t like!

So are you doing things today to show your spouse you love them? Are your kids getting the right idea about love and how marriage can be such an amazing thing that’s it’s not 50/50 it’s 100%? I can’t wait to say on my last day on earth “thank you Jonathan for loving me everyday and that I never had to make myself a cup of coffee”! so cool so neat! Life is beautiful if you make it beautiful!

Filed Under: Better Than Newlyweds Tagged With: kids, love, marriage, today

CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY EVERY DAY | Better Than Newlyweds | Stacy Hudson

February 15, 2016 by Mrs. Hudson

Every year on February 14th couples celebrate their Love for one another. I am all for showering your husband/wife with Love and gifts on Valentine’s day. However, I  can’t help but wonder how much our marriages would improve if we treated every day like Valentine’s day… at least a little. I’m not talking about big heart shaped boxes of chocolate every day or even flowers every day. I am talking about a mind set that I think would drastically improve marriages.

On Valentine’s Day we do whatever we do and give the gifts we give with one goal… to make our husband/wife feel Loved.  What if we did that every day? What if we lived every day with the mind set “what can I do today to make them feel my Love?” Would that change your marriage at all?

I know that my husband appreciates it when I set up the coffee to brew for him in the morning automatically so it is ready when he wakes up. I try to do this every night … and was pretty successful until we had our baby girl and I became sleep deprived (ha!) … but I know this is one thing I can do to show him my Love.  It doesn’t have to be this grand gesture or expensive gift. I think some of the most meaningful gifts only cost us time.

I appreciate sweet little notes or encouraging words from my husband. If he saw a pile of paperwork for something I’m working on and simply put a post it note on top that says “You’re doing great things!”…my day would be made… probably my week! And I use this example because he is wonderful and has done something like this more than once.

I would venture to say that a lot of marriages would benefit from daily hugs. Just a long heart felt hug…nothing more and nothing less. A 20 second hug releases the bonding hormone and neurotransmitter Oxytocin. Oxytocin helps curb depression and anxiety. What an awesome creator we have, right? That the simplest show of affection… a hug… causes our bodies to react in such a way that we can literally alter the mood of the person we are hugging. Amazing.

What does Love look like in the Bible?

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

A little friendly competition is good right? “Outdo one another in showing honor.” … What do you think that looks like?

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

God gave us His only Son for us because of His Love for us. Surely we can give up something for our husband/wife or make a sacrifice for them to show them our Love! What do you think that looks like?

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

What can you “lay down” for your husband/wife? Maybe for some it would be pride or selfishness. Maybe for others it would be more literal… their cell phone, TV, or video game. What do you think that looks like? 

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Love is not lip service. We must show our love “in deed.” If you say you are going to do something…do it. If you make a promise… keep it. What do you think that looks like?

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Cor 13:4-8

Because God is Love you can put “God” in place of “Love” in this scripture. It is very comforting to read it that way:

God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, God does not boast, God is not proud. God does not dishonor others, God is not self-seeking, God is not easily angered, God keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. God always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. God never fails.

I just tried something that was not so comforting to read. I put my name in the place of Love… and realized I have work to do. Put your name in the blanks… do you have work to do?

_______ is patient, _______ is kind. _______ does not envy, _______ does not boast, _______ is not proud. _______ does not dishonor others, _______ is not self-seeking, _______ is not easily angered, _______ keeps no record of wrongs. _______ does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. _______ always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

I took off the last verse “Love never fails” because I am human and will fail. In fact I failed yesterday…on Valentine’s Day!  But with God’s help I will do better each day… and my husband will feel more Loved every day.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Better Than Newlyweds Tagged With: heart, love, marriage, today, valentine's day, valentine'sday

WHEN YOU FEEL GOD ISN’T LISTENING | Better Than Newlyweds | Stacy Hudson

February 8, 2016 by Mrs. Hudson

I’ve had moments lately where it felt like God isn’t listening to me. My response (and I think some of you might react the same) was that “that was silly and surely God was listening.” To be sure, I decided to look in the Bible to see if I could find any scriptures about God not listening for some reason and I found a couple right off the bat.

There is a psalm which reads:

Psalm 66:18

18 If I had harbored sin in my heart,
the sovereign Master would not have listened.
If I regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord will not hear (NASB).

This made me start to look inward to see if I had any “wickedness” in my heart or if I had any sins I was hiding away in my heart that I needed to confess to the Lord so he could hear my prayers.

Another verse is even more specific:

Proverbs 1:28-29,

“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me, 29 Because they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the Lord.”

It says that those who”hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord” would call on Him but He would not answer. I do not ever want to be the reason God can’t hear my prayers or answer me. He is sovereign so if He chooses to be silent sometimes so that I might focus on Him more or so that I might turn down the noise that can sometimes be my life in order to hear Him… that would be for my good…. which is always His goal…. so I will leave that up to Him.

I continued to search my heart because anyone who would continue in sin does not fear the Lord and surely those who continue in sin do not Love His knowledge.

Those moments when I thought God isn’t listening to me… were all about me.

I took a trip to target recently to get a few essentials (Here in Louisiana that means a King Cake) and maybe clear my head. I turned on the radio. God uses the radio a lot to bring me peace or a little perspective. As I am pulling into my parking spot at Target a song came on that I had never heard. I recognized the singer’s name and knew I Loved all her other songs so I sat in my car and listened. Lauren Daigle – “First” – WOW! It was just what I needed to hear…it was what I hadn’t been doing! It was WHY my day had been so out of wack…. because my priorities were out of wack!

Take a listen and/or read the lyrics at the end of the blog:

 

When I heard this song…sitting in my car in the Target parking lot… I had to “lift my arms.” It was everything I hadn’t been doing. I was putting myself first… I was rude to my husband… I was angry with God because my prayers weren’t being answered… I was doing all the wrong things if I wanted to have God’s ear.

He has to be first.

Him… not what He can do.

If God never did another thing for me He has already done enough through His Son Jesus.
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God wants us to delight in Him first so He can give us the desires of our hearts.

Psalm 37:4

4 Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my calling lately too and I’m starting to wonder if we make things more complicated then they need to be…

Mark 3:14

And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,

Maybe our calling as His disciples is simply to “be with Him” and He will send us out to preach/minister.

Be With Him and He will…..

Put you in the right job

Guide you to the right house to purchase

Lead you to the strangers in the store who need to hear about Jesus

Help you be a mother/father

…. the list could go on forever.

Will you put Him first and just be with Him so He can hear your prayers and send you out? @BetterNewlyweds
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Pray with me:

Jesus we thank You for who You are…we thank You for Your patience with us and for Your grace and mercy. We want to know You and to just be with You… help us to do that daily. Help us to seek Your face before Your favor and Your heart before your Help… Forgive us of any sin we have hidden away in our hearts… we want to be like You.  AMEN! 

 


 

First Lauren Daigle from the album How Can It Be

Buy on Amazon | iTunes

Before I bring my need
I will bring my heart
Before I lift my cares
I will lift my arms
I wanna know You
I wanna find You
In every season
In every moment
Before I bring my need
I will bring my heart
And seek You

(chorus)
First
I want to seek You
I want to seek You
First
I want to keep You
I want to keep You
First
More than anything I want, I want You
First

Before I speak a word
Let me hear Your voice
And in the midst of pain
Let me feel Your joy
I wanna know You
I wanna find You
In every season
In every moment
Before I speak a word
I will bring my heart
And seek You

(chorus)
First
I want to seek You
I want to seek You
First
I want to keep You
I want to keep You
First
More than anything I want, I want You
First

(bridge)
You are my treasure and my reward
Let nothing ever come before
You are my treasure and my reward
Let nothing ever come before
I seek You

(chorus)
First
First
I want to seek You
I want to seek You
First
I want to keep You
I want to keep You
First
More than anything I want, I want You
First
First

Song info:
Publishing: © 2014 CentricSongs (SESAC) / Sony ATV Timber Publishing (SESAC) / Sony ATV Timber Publishing & Open Hands Music (SESAC) / Sony/ATV Tree Publishing & Upside Down Under (BMI) / Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing & Bentley Street Songs (ASCAP)
Writer(s): Words and Music by Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury, Jason Ingram, Mia Fieldes and Hank Bentley

Filed Under: Better Than Newlyweds Tagged With: God, Lauren Daigle, Mark 3:14, Proverbs 1:28-29, Psalm 37:4, Psalm 66:18, today

JUST SAY “THANK YOU” BECAUSE YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE | Better Than Newlyweds | Stacy Hudson

February 1, 2016 by Mrs. Hudson

YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made! Do you believe that?

Someone says “you look great today!” and the person replies “oh my goodness no I’ve got bags under my eyes and this shirt is so old!” Sound familiar? Why do women do this? Whether I am hanging out with family, friends, or even at Bible study… I always hear at least one…usually many more… comments like this!

In a world that fills our heads with ideas of what we are supposed to be… we need to stand firm on what the Bible tells us we are!

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;    your works are wonderful,    I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14

YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made! Does that make you stand up a little straighter? I hope so! This is just one of the many Bible verses that should help us curb our self hate talk.

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Hebrews 10:35-36

DO NOT throw away your confidence! This means you should have some! And you will need confidence and endurance to accomplish the will of God in your life! Not only that but then you can receive what is promised!

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

YOU NEED confidence to draw near to the throne of grace! We all need mercy and grace right?!

I think women (myself included) often times confuse confidence with arrogance. So if someone tells us that we look nice…instead of saying “thank you” we immediately try to “not be arrogant” by insulting ourselves. We all do it! WHY?! I think this is one of the biggest tools the devil uses against women. He sets us up against ourselves and he is free to go attack someone else. After all, if we will insult ourselves for fear of sounding arrogant he doesn’t need to. And yet while we are “not being arrogant” we are actually not being confident! We are also not living up to our full potential in God. The devil knows if he can keep us drowning in self doubt… he has us kept.

  • The next time your husband gives you a compliment just say “thank you” and maybe give him a kiss on the cheek just to be sweet!
  • The next time your mom tells you she likes your new haircut just say “thank you” and maybe compliment her as well!
  • The next time a friend mentions that your hair is long and beautiful just say “thank you” and maybe remind her that she too has beautiful features.

CAN YOU IMAGINE THE IMPACT IF WE ALL BUILT EACH OTHER UP?! INCLUDING OURSELVES?!

What if we really believed that we are “FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE”?

The devil wouldn’t stand a chance.

If we were all confident enough to use the gifts and talents God has given us then so many more lives would be impacted. So many more lives would be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life! What do we gain by putting ourselves down? I would venture to say only a stiff neck from hanging our heads in self doubt. If we would have confidence in ourselves and confidence in the Lord… we could move mountains!

We are God’s handiwork…His creation…His design… remember this the next time you want to correct someone and tell them that you are too short or that you wish you had different color eyes. GOD MADE YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSES. YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE. Do not grieve His heart by putting yourself down. Walk confidently in the Lord and hold your head up.

 

 

Filed Under: Better Friend, Better Than Newlyweds Tagged With: family, God, hebrews, psalm, today, YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made!

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Hi, I’m Stacy!

I am married to the Love of my life... my Prince. We strive daily to have a marriage better than newlyweds. We want to know each other better than when we were first wed. We want to please God by serving each other. Marriage is so important as it represents the relationship between God and His church... we must protect it and fight for ours. Read More…

Good Reads for Your Marriage:

679599: The Love Dare The Love Dare
By Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick
{These are affiliate links but I truly believe these books would add value to your marriage.}

Recent Posts

  • 5 BIBLE VERSES FOR TROUBLED MARRIAGES | Stacy Hudson
  • More than a baby was delivered when I gave birth | Stacy Hudson
  • What I’ve learned Being Married to an Agnostic | Guest Blogger: Ailie Baumann
  • How to Improve Communication in Your Marriage | Stacy Hudson
  • How to Put the Spark Back in Your Marriage | Stacy Hudson

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