There is an appointed time for everything. There is a time … to laugh.
~Ecclesiastes 3:4

Dear Molly,

I hope laughter will be beautiful music played throughout your marriage. Laughter’s melody is catchy and light-hearted, causing the worries and stresses of life to unwind and lighten. Your laughter together will become sweet harmony not only to your souls but also to all those who hear it. Laugh often with Ryan, your partner of “music.”

I also encourage you to laugh often at Ryan, in an uplifting way, of course. Even if you have heard the same joke for fifteen years, still chuckle. (I chuckle in amazement that Mac is still telling these jokes!) You are your husband’s audience, so laugh. I am convinced this is one reason Mac picked me to be his wife – my gullibility to fall for a joke, and my laughter at his jokes, was just what he needed to keep on performing (God help me). Remember, humor in a marriage brings harmony to the home.

And then, I encourage you to laugh at yourself. Laugh at the burnt chicken (the burnt pizza, the burnt grilled cheese, the burnt green beans that are shellacked to the bottom of the pan). Laugh at locking your keys in your running vehicle which contains your groceries and your bewildered babies (you may need to cry first on this one). Laugh at showing up for your child’s friend’s birthday party a week early or a week late (I’ve done both). Choose to laugh at your imperfections instead of sinking under them. Your mistakes do not define you. They may humble you a little bit, but Jesus Christ defines you. And Jesus is JOY! And joy from within becomes bubbling laughter.

I pray you and Ryan will continually seek true joy in your marriage. As you do, others will want to join in with your sweet melodious tune.

Love, Chris

“God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.”
~Genesis 21:6

Our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful singing … “The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”
~Psalm 126:2-3

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
~Philippians 4:6-7

Dear Molly,

One of the most sacred and precious possessions given to man on this side of heaven is the gift of prayer. Our faith-filled words touch the heart of God and ignite His power! I encourage you to put prayer into practice very early in your marriage so you may begin to reap the benefits with joy. As you present your requests to God concerning Ryan, the Creator of his heart willingly moves and molds his character.

Prayer will also enable you to maintain the much desired gentle and quiet spirit of a wife. Instead of pointing out all of Ryan’s “flaws” with a judgmental spirit, quietly take these issues to the One who can groom and grow your husband into a mighty man of God. This approach will keep you from nagging him, which only causes your husband to turn away, not towards you (believe me, I am still learning – nagging doesn’t get you anywhere). But always believe and know, God’s hand is much more able to change a man’s heart and mind than a wife’s contentious words. Again, take these requests to the One who is able to perform powerfully!

I thought I would share with you ways I have brought Mac before the Lord over the years. I have prayed for him in other specific ways, but these are the broader areas of prayer listed which may be helpful as you pray for Ryan:

I pray for my husband …

1. to have a deep love for God, His Word, and for others
2. to be able to understand me – my thoughts, my personality, my fears, my dreams
3. to be the spiritual leader of this family as a husband and a father
4. to surround himself with godly friends who will encourage him and keep him accountable to God’s Word and ways.

Over time, I have seen the Lord’s hand at work in the heart of my husband, and I have been able to rejoice in His beautiful answers! God is for me; He is for my husband; and He is for our marriage. The same is true for you, Molly. Take advantage of the awesome privilege of prayer, and watch God work powerfully in Ryan’s life, and in your marriage.

Love, Chris

… the prayer of the upright is His delight.
~Proverbs 15:8

The (husband’s) heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.
~Proverbs 21:1

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.
~Psalm 1:2-3

Dear Molly,

I encourage you to grow continually in the knowledge and understanding of the incredible love of your Lord Jesus Christ. As I have written in a previous letter, learning of His intimate love for my soul has been the basis of everything God has taught me concerning life and marriage. Without His love I am a disconnected branch, easily broken and unfruitful. But God, in His abounding grace, pursued me and has captured me with His love. Because of Him in me, I have a sweet peace that I cannot describe, an overwhelming joy that I cannot contain, and an eternal hope that carries me through each day. When I found him whom my soul loves; I held on to him and wouldnot let him go …” (Song of Solomon 3:4)

I urge you, Molly, to seek the love of Christ. I hope each day you will pray, “Show me You love me.” He will be delighted to do so, because He delights in you! You will find His love imprinted on His hands; you will find His love imprinted on the pages of Scripture; and then, your husband will find His love imprinted on your heart. Through the years, Ryan will observe how you speak, how you give, how you serve … how you live. The gentle strength of your character has the ability to move him to become more like Christ. And as he resembles his Savior, you will both benefit. I pray you will continue to stay rooted and grounded in His love so your marriage will blossom with a fragrant beauty.

Over these past fifteen years, I have watched God mold the heart of my husband. My love for Mac runs deep – deeper than the love I had for him as a young twenty-two year old. We’ve walked life together. And I look forwardto the years to come – more walking, and an even deeper love. No, he’s not perfect, and I’m not perfect; which means we have an imperfect marriage. But, we both know and claim our perfect Savior. When we keep Christ’s unfailing love as the tie that binds, we become more like the tree firmly plantedby streams of water …growing and flourishing together.

Stay close to your Perfect Love … Jesus. He will grow and groom and bless your marriage. Look forward to an even deeper love for Ryan as you walklife together.

Love, Chris

(May) Christ …dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ … (He) is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.
~Ephesians 3:17-20

Chris Baxter is a wife, mother, homeschool teacher, writer, and speaker. She has been married to her husband, Mac, for 25 years, and together, they have four children: Maggie (24), Bink (22), Davis (19), and Emmy (18). Chris’ outlet is writing, some of which is in print: Living the Lord’s Prayer, Fifteen Years - Fifteen Lessons in Marriage, and Awesome Biblical Concepts: a Devotional for Every Family. Her heart’s desire is to be a “messenger of God’s Word,” whether in written or spoken form.

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