When Shelaine and I were first married earning entry-level wages, we sat down and made up a budget for spending, saving, and giving. One general rule we agreed on was to consult each other regarding purchases over fifty dollars! Today that limit is higher, but the principle is the same—we ought not purchase big ticket items without the other in the know.
Finances are but one area we negotiate with people close to us. To learn of more I asked thirty-three students to write down everyday decisions they had come to with family, friends, and roommates. Interestingly, several said “We don’t really agree—we just let things happen.” Perhaps this is a millennial thing, but wisdom says it’s better to put expectations on the table to avoid trouble. The little study ended up producing scores of agreements which fell into six categories:
These covenantal themes remind us that we travel together, knitting our quality of life through little choices along the way. © 2016
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Bill Strom, Author
I am a believer by faith, a professor by vocation, a husband by choice, a father by blessing, and a friend by hanging out. Along the way I have learned about close relating through my experiences, biblical models, and social science research. Hopefully my ideas and encouragement show up here in ways meaningful to you. Archives
June 2019
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