Two are better than one

I was visiting one of my favorite blogs yesterday, My Life On the East Coast, and Rae was talking about something that really resonated with me. How different we can be (and usually are) from our spouses, but how we are better together... My husband is steady and even-keel; I am well, passionate! He is logical, I am emotional. He is patient and methodical; I don't have the time to be patient! (Hehe!) My husband likes to take one project at a time, whereas I have the tendency to tackle too many projects at once. And yet, it's true, we ARE better together!

It reminds me of something we read on Day 12 of The Love Dare book we are working our way through... "No you won't always see eye to eye. You're not supposed to be carbon copies of each other. If you were, one of you would be unnecessary. Two people who always share the same opinions and perspectives won't have any balance or flavor to enhance the relationship. Rather, your differences are for listening to and learning from." Huh...

What is humorous is that we were reading this the day after we had a rather passionate "discussion" regarding a house project, had resolved to compromise but hadn't figured out what that was yet... The title of Day 12? Uh, Love Lets The Other Win...The day's dare was, as follows, "Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting their preference first." We both kind of sat in silence for a moment, then I asked the question we were both thinking, "SO...if it's the same thing, who gives in?"

What is strange is that as much as our personalities differ, we are like two peas in a pod. We share most of the same likes and dislikes, share the same politics, religion, and essentially see the world the same. We fit together, even though we are, on the other hand, so different! We are blessed with a good marriage, but we still bump heads over the same old issues that routinely pop up!

So who gave in and let the other win, you ask? It actually ended up being a compromise. We each gave a little, and it worked. But we learned something once again. Something we learn every time we disagree about this or that. That we complete each other. To appreciate the things that make that person who they are, and that includes the differences.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together they will keep warm, But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves." ~Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12a

(Me and my better half.)


Have a blessed night! :)
~Jenni

P.S. I somehow accidentally deleted my signature! Oops!