Devotionals by Brian Goins

Misfits Welcome Here
By Lisa Lakey

One of my favorite Christmas shows as a kid was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The 1964 one narrated by Burl Ives. I watched it every year with my brothers, and I now watch it every year with my kids.

As an adult, my favorite part is the Island of Misfit Toys. It’s this “bring-your-own-weirdness” kind of place where your idiosyncrasies are celebrated instead of shamed. Broken? You can hang with us. We’re broken, too.

It’s (in a strange sort of way) a little like the church: a bunch of broken, sinful people hanging around together. But unlike the misfit toys, we’re made whole through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Misfits no longer, He deems us worthy and loved. And that beautiful picture is what God intends for others to see in our marriages.

Does your marriage say “misfits welcome here”? Can your spouse come to you with their fears, insecurities, and even with their endearing traits others label weird? Do you lay down your own misfit self to your spouse? Bringing all your unique qualities to the table—even the ones you wish you didn’t have?

Like the way I laugh like a lunatic at funny movies. Or my incomprehensible fear of water (don’t ask). Or the sins I still carry a bit of shame for when I’m at my weakest moments.

Marriage should be a safe place. A shelter when the rest of the world doesn’t seem to get us. When the rest of the world doesn’t want to know us. Your marriage should say to your spouse, “Misfits welcome here.”

When life gets messy, it can be hard to remember that our spouse is a gift. Read more in “Your Spouse Is Not Your Enemy.”

The Good Stuff: And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. … so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. (Philippians 2:8, 10)

Action Points: Is there a “misfit” part of who you are that you keep from your spouse? Try bringing it to them without fear of judgment. Then bring it to God. Jesus has already declared you welcome.

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