My husband recently had a crazy idea. He read a health article on the benefits of sleeping in our “birthday suits”. I was a bit skeptical at first, especially since I have two grown boys living at home and the dogs and I make frequent trips to the restroom during the night (mine is inside, theirs outside :)). I’ve been trying to get to bed earlier to get on a healthier sleep schedule, so I committed to a firm “lights out” at 10pm. This is way too early for my night-owl hubby… So armed with my big fluffy housecoat on the edge of the dresser, I slipped into bed just me and my birthday suit. Even with my heating blanket turned on high, I laid there and shivered. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it! After Zoe (our German short-haired pointer) jumped up into bed with me and the heat off her helped settle me in, I finally dozed off.
I woke up at 1am with a sharp cramp in my foot. Probably because it was frozen! I got up to walk it off, yes – in my housecoat. I made my ritual trip to the restroom and let the dogs out. This time, as I headed off to bed, John was ready to join me. We both slipped back into bed in our birthday suits. Now it made sense! I had to turn off the heating blanket…
In the morning, I shared with John about my experience and how it doesn’t work if there aren’t two of us – I was literally freezing. I thought about what God would have to say about this and was reminded that scripture tells us, “A man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24. If that’s not enough, Ecclesiastes makes it very clear, “If two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?”
I share this lesson because it’s broader than just what we wear to bed. Our bodies are made for each other. Together we are more than 1 + 1 = 2 and separately, I would argue that we’re less than 1. We need each other in all areas of our lives.
Take time over the next few days to “Choose to Love”. Think about how your spouse completes you or even better, how together you “multiply the effectiveness” of each other.
- Are there areas that need some focus?
- Are you bringing those areas to God in prayer?
- Have you openly shared your feelings about these areas with your spouse?
- In areas that you are working together as one, how does that make you feel?
- Can you see how it strengthens your relationship?
- Have your shared your feelings about these areas with your spouse?
- Have you praised God and given thanks?
- While you’re at it – give the birthday suits a try. You might enjoy it J
Choose to Love,
Dani
