Marriage Tuesday

it may sound odd,  but one of the greatest honors wanda and i have is the privilege of walking through life’s messiest and most difficult situations with people.

we get to be there when loved ones die.   we get to be there when marriages are falling apart.   we’re drawn into situations of betrayal and lies.   we get to talk to people when they are angry or hurt.   or when they are totally confused about life or faith.   we get to be there when they are overwhelmed with disappointment or embarrassed beyond words.

we’ve sat with people who were all alone…sad and lost…or living in complete denial.   you name it.

like i said…it’s an honor.

i know it sounds a little risky and at times it has demanded more of our time and money and emotional energy than we ever thought we could give,  but it has been our life together.   it was a sacrifice that we willingly gave because we’ve always viewed our lives as not our own.

periodically,  we’ve had some wisdom or insight to pass on…or even some direction in tough times.   but mostly,  we’ve just offered our presence.   and not because we thought we were anything special,  because clearly we are not.   we didn’t live this kind of life because we believed we had some kind of great marriage that we thought others needed to follow or imitate.   quite the opposite.

it was living out this kind of relationship that made our marriage.

do you want a strong marriage?   do you want the stuff that will make your relationship stand the test of time and the assault of day to day?   here’s my advice for today:

invest in others.   pour your life out for others.   spend your money and time and energy for the good of others.   invite others deeply into your lives…and take the risk of letting others see you as you really are.   open your doors wide.   beware of worshipping at the altar of balance.   live on the edge.   but do it together!

#marriage #serving