Our relationship with one another is a reflection of our unity between us and God. We all have issues and tribulation in life; that is part of living in this sin-cursed world. The challenges we face, the joys we share, the celebrations we enjoy, etc. can draw us closer to each other and to our Father God.
If we cherish the presence of God within us, we grow to enjoy His attention, companionship and fellowship. We anticipate His provision even in our negative experiences. Cherishing is important with our spouse as well. As the song-writer stated so succinctly, “Cherish is the word …”
When we cherish someone, we want to spend time with them, snuggle, whisper words of love, pay attention to them, communicate freely at all times of the day and night, to have and to hold each other with deep affection, and to break forth into spontaneous, impromptu songs to each other from the core of our heart.
We do not complete one another, but we do complement each other. We balance each other out – our strengths enhance our partner’s weaknesses and visa versa. We are complete only in Christ. We serve God together and seek His will for our union. Our trust, expectations, fulfillment and purpose rely on God rather than on each other.
We run to God in our times of need - either together or individually. We complain about our spouse to God, not to our spouse or to the general public. We are quick to forgive, patient to hear our mate’s explanation of their negative words and mood or behavior, and we accept each other as mere mortals, not as some superhero who never fails us.
We allow God’s love, grace, patience, goodness and faith in us to flow smoothly to our spouse as we accept each other in spite of our broken promises, disappointments, neglect, idiosyncrasies and humanity. Daily, we pray to God for Him to supply all our needs – individually and as a couple – through His glorious riches (Philippians 4:19).
Prayer:
Father God, help to have patience and forgiveness for each other when we are totally irritated or disappointed in our mate’s choices, attitude, words or behavior. As we prayerfully enter Your gates with thanksgiving, and Your courts with praise (Psalm 100) - either together or alone, meet us in all of Your glory with Your wisdom, power, unconditional love, and eternal presence.
Increase our patience and loyalty to one another, and also help us to remain devoted to our covenant to remain married until death parts us. Help us to increase in our abilities and our desire to remain as servants to each other and to You, rather than to spend our time chasing our vocational dreams and individual hobbies and habits. Thank You for developing our intimacy with You, so that we can learn the idyllic benefits of guarding our intimacy with each other.
Thought for the Day:
When we speak words of encouragement to our spouse, rather than to harp on his/her faults and failings, we encourage them to be the best they humanly can be, and to want to spend more time with us; this also prevents the root of bitterness from springing up and causing a leak in our reservoir of love for one another, which defiles our relationship, family and community of co-workers and neighbors and friends as well.
