Michele commented yesterday that it’s a shame lasting love these days is seen as the exception rather than the rule. I agree. But when it does exist, other people notice. A young woman, who had not had the most positive examples of marriage and relationships in her own life, so far commented recently to her friend and her husband about how ‘they always looked out for each other.’ You see, when people look out for their spouse it shows.
That means being aware of the things that are going on in your spouse’s life and not being so self absorbed that you don’t take time to find out or to be there for them if they need physical or emotional support. Times like change of job, terminal illness of a close friend or family member, stress at work or with other family members, uncertainty about the future, can all have negative impacts on relationships. If we allow it to.
At times like these it is even more important that ever that our spouse is supportive and understanding. What everyone one wants is someone who will be there for them when the going gets tough. But it has to work both ways. It’s not a one sided issue. We then have to be there for our spouse, making allowances during hard times. We need to be there to encourage and to be supportive, upholding them when they are going through changes and traumatic times in their lives. We need to be going through it together as a partnership, because that’s what marriage should be like.
That is the way God designed marriage. His plan was not for one person to dominate the other but for each one to kook out for the other and put them first. But in too many relationships, it seems to be all about ‘what I want’ and ‘what’s in it for me.’ If that changes, then the person wants out.
The exception to the rule comes about where a marriage is built on mutual love and respect and care for the other person. These are the marriages that will stand the test of time.Related blogs
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