My family moved into a new home last year. It was an existing structure, and, as such, had its share of required repairs.

For our first few months there, my husband and I would have the same conversation over dinner. "That area on the side of the house really needs repair," I would comment. "Yep," he would mutter. The matter would be tabled for the day.

A few days later, my husband would bring it up. "You know, I really should work on that side of the house this weekend," he would announce. "What do we have planned for the weekend?"

We finally set a date to do the required repairs. I took the children out for the morning one Saturday so he could have uninterrupted work time. When I returned home, he had almost completed the repair to the side of the house.

The funny part of it was this: All this time, he had been looking at and commenting on the work which was required on the South side of the house. On the other hand, I had been talking about the repairs which were badly needed on the North side of the house. We had been having the same conversation, but missing each other entirely.

We had a good laugh, then went to inspect the other side of the house. Eventually, both sides were repaired, but it set me to wondering how often, in our marriage, we are focusing on different sides of the house. Are you looking at the same side of the house together?

In our family, we have a mission statement. It is a brief paragraph which encompasses the reasons why we are together as a family. Among the reasons are:

because God has brought us together; and
because we have promised to love and serve one another; then
bring that love and service out into the world.
This simple paragraph gives our family a focal point. It ensures that we are always looking at the same side of the house.

When we have family decisions to make, such as taking on a new commitment, we ask ourselves if the commitment fits in with our family mission. If it does, we give ourselves to it wholeheartedly. If it doesn't, it will only lead to us looking at different sides of the house.

How about your family? Are there areas in which you and your spouse are not in agreement? If you aren't on the same side of the house in terms of child rearing, worshiping God, spending money, using your time wisely, you are looking at different sides of the house.

Spending some time discussing the overall health of your house, seeking God's word and His will can help. Ask God to give you and your spouse a heart and mind of agreement over the major issues in your marriage. Then invite Him into your home to inhabit your hearts and your lives.