“I got it!”

“Your serve.”

“Good rally!”

Common phrases in the game of tennis. Back in my school years I played tennis. I was a doubles player. The best doubles team is one that communicates and works together. Much like a marriage. As I think about the marriages that I know to be strong; they are ones where communication, mutual respect, and teamwork are all on the court.

Lately I have been realizing that my husband needs me on the court with him. We are in this game together. If I step off the court he is out numbered against the opponent. If I don’t step up and yell, “I got it!” when the ball is coming my way; I am not doing my part. If I hog all the serves; I am not trusting him and showing him respect as my partner. If at the end of the day I can’t say “good rally.” then we are not acting as a team.

We are in this game together. I need to encourage my husband. Battle with him. Pray for him when he is at work and at home. When God lays something on his heart it is for me to work and walk through as well.

Sometimes I need to jump and say, “I got it!” In little or big tasks doing my part to get the ball across the net again.

Other times I must hand him the ball, trust his leading, and respect him for who he is as my partner.

At the close of the day, when we are getting into bed I need to be able to look him in the eyes and say “good rally.” “We worked together today.”

This weekend I was reflecting on the partnership in marriage, how we need each other. My husband has been so good at reminding me of teamwork. From the beginning he has seen the value in communication, respect, and teamwork.

One time shortly after our baby was born, I was feeling down about not being able to get out and help a neighbor. My husband looked at me, his eyes tender with love, “You are helping. We are a team. If you were not with our daughter then I wouldn’t be able to go out and give them a hand. It (helping) may look different then before, but it is no less valuable.”

No tasks are of greater or lesser value. One partner’s shot is no less important. Each time that ball gets across the net it is a good thing. Whether the shot was a forehand, backhand, or volley. All are important in getting that ball where it needs to go.

While I was out side spreading mulch this weekend my husband was inside playing with our daughter. Later in the day my husband worked on a Bible study plan while I prepared the meal. And so on. We work together. We take our turns calling out, “I got it!” We yield, we surrender, we step up, we call out. Together. Partnership. Marriage. On the court of life.

 

Ephesians 5:31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” ESV

Ephesians 5:33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. ESV