Buffaloes and Butterflies

(first B & B sermon - 1989 Mother's Day)

DISCLAIMER:  this addresses typical marital issues.
                          This assumes 2 people of good will, ie:  deep down desire to make it work.  Will not by itself work in radical situations with abnormal circumstances.

Why Your Husband is Such a Clod.  He's:
#1.  human -   Rom. 3:23 - seriously flawed
#2.  male - Gen. 1:27 - different, remarkably the same, but also remarkably different.  
The differences are MORE than physical!!! 
#3.  ignorant (not stupid) - of the nature, origin, extent of the differences AND of how to deal with them.
This information does NOT come natural, and it's seldom taught.
#4.  forgetful - because it never becomes natural
#5.  confused - even when he learns, he doesn't understand.  Wife = mystery

Why Your Wife is Such a Nag.  She's:
#1.  Human - Rom. 3:23
#2.  female - Gen. 1:27 - different by design
#3.  ignorant - of the extent of differences, how to address them
#4.  forgetful - even though more relational and natural
#5.  confused - her man remains a mystery

Then (eventually) because of the above, they both get....
#6.  Hurt ..... emotionally (which really hurts)
                     repeatedly  (which leads to wounds!!)

Obviously, buffaloes can hurt butterflies, BUT - butterflies can wound buffaloes also.

Overwhelming?  Any remedy?  Solution?  Hope?

NOTE:  
(1)  the differences are not going away.  You don't WANT them to!!!  They are BY DESIGN!
They are THE ATTRACTION!!!

(2)  The differences are NOT the problem:  the problem = a)  our ignorance  and b) our sinfulness (selfishness)

So ... what to do?
(1)  Commit yourself = to God's design, your spouse, your marriage

(2)  Educate yourself - "want to" is not enough - need a how to:  examples:  books, CDs, DVDs, podcasts, conferences, AND Communication with One Another!!

(3)  Work, Work, Work.  to improve YOURSELF:  not your spouse!!!

(4) - Reap the Rewards - for yourself, spouse, kids, kingdom

POINT:  Most marriages consist of two people who
1) love one another
2) want to make it work
3) want to make it better

With that foundation + some knowledge + effort + God's Blessings ??????