Day 33: During Deployment “Love Completes Each Other”

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend ca help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. — Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

On October 18, 2007, Excellent or Praiseworthy posted a devotional for military couples called “Battle Buddies.” The author took these verses from Ecclesiastes and expounded on them in order to reveal exactly what the authors of The Love Dare want us to understand today—that husbands and wives are meant to “complete each other.” Here is some of what you will find on Excellent or Praiseworthy for that date (re-posted on January 28, 2008):

“For soldiers, this idea that two are better than one is a building block for operations—we learn to pair up as “battle buddies” right from basic training. One cooks the meal while the other does sentry, one boils the shaving water while the other boils the water for coffee. Both check on each other constantly—that each other has what they need for the day’s tasks, are awake when they need to be and get medical attention when they need it. Perhaps the best example of working together is in combat when one provides covering fire while the other moves. It is an act of incredible trust and necessity that ensures someone is covering you while you are vulnerable. We work together in both mundane and exciting tasks, often in spite of differences, all to achieve common goals. There’s another area of life that this approach would work really well in . . .

Here’s the thing, military battle buddies come and go. They help us in seasons of our lives—courses, exercises, deployments—but we have a non-work related battle buddy who is there for the whole of our life—our spouse. It is sad how often I have seen military personnel (and some military spouses) fail to recognize their most important battle buddy, and as such struggle through life issues that would be so much easier to deal with if they nurtured their marriage relationship. Some even start to think of their spouse as the enemy! That’s like deciding to attack a fellow soldier in the heat of battle—it makes no sense and does nothing for your chances of victory. So here’s a thought: what if we worked on developing our marriage relationships so that our spouses become our life-battle buddies?”

Please read all of that devotional and consider the synergism that is possible in a good marriage. On Day 33 of The Love Dare, it reads, “Love realizes that God has put you together on purpose. And though you may wind up disagreeing with your spouse’s perspectives, you should still give their views respect and strong consideration. This honors God’s design for your relationship and guards the oneness He intends.” (p. 163)

Here is today’s dare during deployment: We are going to quote exactly from the Day 33 of The Love Dare book because it is perfectly said—“Recognize that your spouse is integral to your future success. Let them know today that you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions, and that you need their perspective and counsel. If you have ignored their input in the past, admit your oversight and ask them to forgive you.” (p. 164)

Here are Scriptures to encourage you in truth:

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. — Colossians 3:14

As introduction to “The Love Chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13, Paul begins by writing:

And now I will show you the most excellent way . . . — 1 Corinthians 12:31

Work cited:

“Battle Buddies”, Excellent or Praiseworthy for October 18, 2007 and January 18, 2008

Kendrick, Stephen and Alex, The Love Dare (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2008)