I have been married for, soon to be, 17 years now, (which doesn't sound like much, except that it is half my lifetime) and I have come to realize that what the world needs now, more than ever, is love. I speak for my self, when I say that people in successful marriages are best suited to show the love I am referring to.
What does it take to have a successful marriage?
A willingness and a longing to put another's needs before your own.
A need to see things through.
A passion for another, that won't accept anything less than all that person can give/do.
A will, strong enough to push through all barriers and situations that try to break us down and suffocate our purpose.
A perseverance to do what is right, no matter how difficult, impossible, or futile it seems to be.
I'm not sure about all of you, but for me, I have often had to look past many faults, to the potential, hidden within my spouse. I have had to endure things I would have rather not, because I vowed to do so (for better or worse). I have had to be a cheerleader for someone who was not at the top of his game. I have had to speak when I would rather keep my mouth shut, and keep quiet, when I wanted so badly to speak my mind. I have had to take alot of what I've dished out, and it isn't very pretty, but it showed me things about myself that I couldn't see in my own reflection. (my kids have taught me most about that area!)
My main point is, are we prepared to do these same things with strangers?
Can we love others, as we love those who love us? As we love our spouse, as we love our children, as we love ourselves?
As painful, and difficult as it may be, it is a medicine sorely needed in society today. I see a sea of faces that cry out for it, desperately search for it, and who die trying to attain it. I see people taking it, however they can get it, even if it only looks like the real thing. Tis true, the harvest is indeed full, but the workers are few.
With the beggar on the street, take the time to find out what he/she really needs. Perhaps, more than the money, or food, they need someone to listen to their story. How it is that they came to where they are? Do they have a hope of a better and brighter future. What about society, helped them to come to where they are? Many don't want to "go back" into the society they see. Why? We may find the answers to many of our own issues. We can learn from those that don't have the credentials to teach, other than the life they have had to live and the decisions they have had to make.
Take the time to read, slowly, the scripture on God's love, real love. (I Corinthians 13) We are all called to manifest this kind of love to everyone. We get to practice and build the muscles in our marriages, to better achieve what Christ ordered us to do. Love our enemies, as ourselves. To love those that hate us. To give without hope of reward.
I look forward to any responses and oppinions you may have. I hope to learn from each of you. Be blessed.
Posted By: Lesley Knight
Sunday, October 5th 2008 at 12:20PM
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