Favorite Cereal
Today's guest blogger is Shelley. Shelley is my pastor's wife, the mother of three beautiful children, a frequent speaker at Christian women's conferences, and quite an energetic and wise woman.
—Curt
"We're going to win. We're going to win." I wasn't saying it out loud but in my heart I was chanting. "We're going to win." We were at a young married activity where we were playing the Newly Wed Game. We were on the bonus question and Steve and I were in the lead. The question was to the wives: "What will your husband say is his favorite cereal?" It was so simple I couldn't believe it. I listened as the other wives gave their answers. Fruit Loops, Trix, Lucky Charms, then it was my turn. I smiled with confidence. "My husband doesn't eat cereal," I replied. I knew I was right.
Are you sure the announcer asked. "Come on," I said, "we have been married longer then all these couples combined. For 10 years I have bought every kind of cereal imaginable and Steve never eats them." I rolled my eyes and sighed just to emphasize my point. "OK," the man said. "If you are sure?"
"I'm POSITIVE," I practically shouted.
In a few minutes the men came out to answer the bonus question. All Steve had to do was say what I knew to be true and the certificate for a free dinner was ours. The man cleared his throat and said, "Steve if you get this question right you and Shelley are the champions. If not, this other couple wins." The tension was high. "Steve what is your favorite cereal?"
Almost instantly Steve smiled and said, "That's easy." This was it. The moment I had been waiting for. My heart was pounding. I was thinking how I could look happy and not be too arrogant about our win.
Then, the man that I knew and loved for 10 years, looked right at the announcer and said, "I love Captain Crunch."
"What?" I gasped. Now I can feel my face turning red. I had been so sure. "How can anyone LOVE Captain Crunch?" I asked in utter disgust. "It rubs the roof of your mouth and leaves little stringy things." He just shrugged his shoulders.
"Hey, I've never seen you eat Captain Crunch!" I said in a very accusing tone. Then he looked at me and said "You've never bought them for me." Ouch!
Steve and I learned two very important lessons that night. He learned, You have not because you ask not. I learned that just because you have been married to someone 10 years, doesn't mean you know everything about them.
Philippians 2:4 says, "Let each of you look out not only for his interests, but also for the interests of others." I realized I had never taken time to ask Steve if he liked cereal. I bought what I liked and since he didn't eat it I assumed he didn't like cereal. I looked out for my interest and assumed his interest were mine.
When was the last time you and your spouse sat down and asked each other what they liked and didn't like? Maybe you did at the beginning of your marriage, but have gotten into a rut of taking each others interests for granted. Are you the same person that you were when you got married? Neither is your spouse. Interest change. God is such an awesome and creative God. Do you think He would say marriage is to last a life time and not keep it interesting? God is constantly doing a work in us. Why would we think the things our spouse liked or didn't like 10 years ago are the same? In fact they probably change from year to year; or if they are like me month to month. Take time each day to enjoy the changes in your spouse and get to know them all over again.
In fact, that gives me a great idea. I need to talk to Steve. Maybe that's why there is an unopened box of Captain Crunch in my cabinet!
