You Can Be That Old Couple In the Park

Last night it hailed on and off, the frozen white pellets bouncing against our house in fits and spurts. You'd think it was over and there would come another wave of the white stuff. This morning, the sun was shining through my windows.

Storms don't last forever, not in nature, and not in marriage.

Marriage is made of so many components: feelings, responsibilities, communication, sex, finances, children, jobs, school, mission, goals, desires, dreams. Each of these is an area where storms can hit, and where the sun can shine again.

With nearly 19 years of marriage there are a couple of enduring truths we've found to finding the sun in our relationship.

• "...consider [your spouse] more significant that yourself". (Phil 2)
• "Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of [your spouse]." (Phil 2)

We can make a constant choice to love someone more than we love ourselves, to consider them, their wants, desires and feelings, to choose our marriage over ourselves.

Marriage is a union, two people becoming one. Not one dominating the other. Not two individuals. Becoming one, joined together - something altogether new, unique, strangely different, stronger, brilliant and joyful.

• "[love] doesn't demand it's own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of  being wronged....

We lose precious time together when we mull over what's wrong. The other day I was unhappy with something and woke up with it on my mind. As I began to move through my day, I heard the voice that I know to be the Holy Spirit reminding me of how much my husband loved me, highlighting all the ways in which he loves me sacrifically, unselfishly, willingly and purposefully. My "wronged feelings" couldn't withstand the overwhelming evidence that this man chooses me, daily. I simply needed the heart-eyes to see it. Love sees the good, holds on to it, advertises it, dwells on it.

• Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (1 Cor. 13)

Don't give up. The sun will come out. There will be times when the storm just seems to keep coming in waves, but the sun will come out. You will be that old couple in the park walking hand in hand, laughing together, and all because you bravely, sacrifically chose to love each other.  You can do it.  I know you can!

Choose love.