Devotion 1

The man said,

 

This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh;

She shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.

 

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

Genesis 2:23-25

 

 Since we thought it was a good idea, this is the first Brinkman Blog entry of our weekly schedule. I thought it was appropriate for our first entry to start at the beginning….Creation.

During church service this past Sunday, I read through the first few chapters of Genesis. And in particular, this verse stopped me dead in my tracks. I read it over and over and over and realized how much this still applies to us today. There are a couple of key points that I want to point out and we can discuss in greater depths over the weekend.

1.   Suitable Helper

In a couple verses before verse 23, God looks at man and says….it is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him.” There are a couple things I find particularly interesting about that. One is that right out of the gates, God is saying it is natural for man to be with a woman. How can those who practice Christianity ever refute that fact? Just puzzles me…the second thing is the word “helper.” While there are some jobs for the husband, just like there are certain jobs a wife can only provide, they are helping each other. Hold that thought close to your heart, if you ever feel that you are pulling more than your share, communicate that with me. Call a family meeting, send me an email-do whatever you have to do to make sure I am helping you. That is one of the fundamental aspects of a marriage – we are here for each other.
I like this verse because it shows how evolution doesn't work- again! Man could find not one suitable helpmate or companion anywhere- and he named every single creature! He needed someone one his level, but she was "soft"- something he needed.  Here is where I got that commentary from: http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/90-228/the-creation-of-woman

2. Nakedness

At first, it’s kind of funny to think about…God thought it was that important to note that they were naked? Why would he feel its necessary to note they were nude? My thought that it could be another application to marriage. We’ve literally seen each other naked in the physical sense (I think I’d prefer to see you naked more J ). But I also feel like it’s nakedness in the sense of vulnerability of one’s heart. Meaning, you’ve seen me naked when I am at my worst. When I’ve sinned in the way I speak to you, lead you as the spiritual leader of our family-I have failed you before and I will fail you again. I was naked when I was studying for the CPA exam. After failing FAR (AGAIN!), I came home and cried on your should. At that point in time, I did not care how weak you thought I was…how disappointed you may have been…I was naked. But God continues in this verse and says, and they felt no shame (of their nakedness)? To continue in this marriage application, I think the husband and wife should feel no shame in front of their spouse. No matter how ugly our nakedness is, we will forever love each other-until death do us part.
That is so true- and it is holy in the eyes of the Lord because we are married.  It is sad how today's culture has taken something so beautiful and turned it into a money making sickening scheme.  It has ruined lives and so many countless marriages.  That's why I am so grateful that you hold our relationship dear to your heart and don't allow your eyes to wander.  

3. The Man Leaves

Did you catch that part? The verse says “for this reason, a man will leave his father and mother….” It says nothing about the woman leaving her father and mother. Maybe that’s why the husbands naturally gravitate to be closer to his wife’s family-because it’s natural for us? Just a random thought that I had when I was reading that verse.

With that being said, Mason will leave us one day. He will leave us and start his own life and family with the woman God has planned for him. Let’s pray about that. Pray that god gives us peace about that because I don’t know about you but that boy is too cute to ever say ‘good bye’

I am never saying goodbye to Mason.  His wife will have to deal. :P just kidding- pray for me. let's start praying now...because it is going to take a while for me to come around.  I do believe it's more natural for the man to break ties because he now has to lead his own house..

Prayers: 

1.    Let’s pray we will continue to rely on each other and we continue to grow beside each other. Grow as followers of Christ and grow as our spouse’s suitable helper.

2.    Pray that we continue to feel no shame in our ‘nakedness’ because we know that we love each other, no matter what.

3.    Ask God to be with Mason’s future wife. We pray that she is a woman after God’s own heart and is patient, loving, encouraging, and beautiful just like his momma.
- Pray that we use our words to edify and lift each other up rather than take our frustration out.