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Key Bible Verse: May God. … help you live in complete harmony. … each with the attitude of Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5). Bonus Reading: Rom. 15:6, 13–15

Rick told Kelley, "I'm doing it for you and the kids, sweetheart. It's only an extra hour per night. You're just going to have to adjust."

Kelley responded, "If you're so concerned about doing something for the kids and me, you'll start coming home earlier. We put Clare to bed at eight. You used to get home by six and have two hours with her at night. While working one extra hour seems small to you, it cuts Clare's time with you in half. From her perspective, that's huge."

What was Kelley asking? That Rick would value her second goal equally with his own. Kelley was no weak woman. Though she loved working outside the home, she'd made the painful sacrifices necessary to give her second goal in marriage its proper priority. Showing her love for Rick, she'd also made an equal sacrifice for Rick's goal by moving a long distance for the sake of his career—even though that meant leaving her friends and family behind.

A few more years passed, and I asked Kelley what happened. "I fought it for about 18 months," she snapped. "Finally, I just gave up." The dark flash of anger in her eyes said far more than words.

—Fred Stoeker in Every Woman's Desire

My Response: To keep our goals in alignment, my wife and I need to. …

Thought to Apply: You cannot sink someone else's end of the boat and still keep your own afloat. —Charles Brower (advertising executive)

Adapted from Every Woman's Desire (WaterBrook, 2001) by permission

Prayer for the Week

O Christ, help me model the way I relate to my wife after Your sacrificial love for the Church.

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