Roses & Thorns:

Jon:

• Rose – Having a three day weekend together
• Thorn – No thorns this week!

Angie:

• Rose – Learning that we are going to Georgia and bonding with a co-worker over our infertility struggles
• Thorn – The disagreement Jon and I had about his driving (LOL)

Weekly Discussion Topic/Question:  What are three strengths you see between us that we possess as a team?

Jon:  Trust, we are on the same level (have the same goals), yin and yang (they say opposites attract)

Angie:  Loyalty/dependability/devotion, trust and communication

Devotional/Book Reading: Division of Labor taken from Gary Chapman’s The One Year Love Language Minute Devotional

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. – Ecclesiastes 4:9 – 10

Synopsis: In short this reading focuses on the division of labor and that couples should focus on the strengths of each person when discussing who should do what.  While each person may have their own tasks to complete that does not mean that the other person cannot jump in and help when needed.  Remember team work makes the dream work!

Our takeaway:  Jon and I both discussed the division of labor in our household.  We took the time to go over the things that Jon does in our relationship and the things that I do.  We agree that the division is pretty fair and that we both do our fair share.  I like to call it brains and brawn, I am the brains and he is the brawn.  We joke about this often, obviously he has brains too, LOL.  But seriously I come up with the lot of good ideas and Jon makes them happen.  He does a lot of the heavy lifting where I focus more on the organization and idea development.  We work together well and have no qualms with the division of labor in our household or the roles we play.

It is important to sit down with your spouse, think of the tasks that need to get done in your relationship and figure out the division of those tasks.  Talk about how you feel, and if you think what you have come up with is fair.  It is necessary to agree because otherwise resentment and hurt may arise.

Please share your rose and thorn for the week!  How do you divide labor in your relationship?  Do you agree with how things have been divided?  What role do you play in your marriage?