Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
its jealousy as enduring as the grave.
Love flashes like fire,
the brightest kind of flame.
Many waters cannot quench love,
nor can rivers drown it.
If a man tried to buy love
with all his wealth,
his offer would be utterly scorned.
When I see…
An elderly couple walking hand in hand, fingers intertwined, knuckles-turned-white from the strength of their love for one another, stronger than ever, even after 50 years.
~ Insert screeching record sound here ~
Wedding Day
High on adrenaline and love for the other.
Honeymoon
Utter blissfulness, unabashed adoration for this person, called spouse.
5 Years Later
Annoyances set in, pride, selfishness, & arrogance.
10 Years Later
They find “joy” in other things and people,
when they use to find it in the others tender gaze.
20 Years Later
They are bored with one another; they are basically just roommates.
30 Years Later
“Happy” just to say they haven’t divorced yet,
if that is what you’d call a marriage.
40 Years Later
Angry and bitterness set in,
more selfishness, more pride,
Deep Hurts!
::::::::::::::::::::
50 Years Later
Happily married,
hugging the other tightly,
kisses tender and sweet;
walking hand in hand,
fingers intertwined, knuckles-turned-white
from the strength of their love for one another,
stronger than ever, even after 50 years.
Sound accurate? No, I didn’t think so!
You won’t have the 50 years of marital bliss,
with the garbage of:
Pride
Selfishness
Anger
Bitterness
Hurtful Words
Plain Old Mean-Spirited Talk
Giving up on working at your marriage
wedged in the middle,
of the alter
where you recited those vows,
(your heart beating, palms sweaty, eyes welling with tears of joy)
and your 50th wedding anniversary.
Instead, you must fill your years with:
Honesty
Devotion
Respect
Love
Selflessness
Showing excitement in the other person’s interests
Having fun together
Laughing a lot
United in Hope
“Knowing” each other, over and over
Remaining pure
Guarding against lustful thoughts, of someone that is not your own
Confession of Sin
Time spent in prayer together.
For isn’t that what you want?
50 years from now, to be that elderly couple
with hearts filled-to-the brim
with LOVE and DEVOTION!
I do!
It takes work, but it will be so worth it. . .
Not to mention, enjoying the journey together,
hand – in – hand.
Deborah Ann says
Wow, Traci…good stuff!
Rebecca says
Good analogy!
♥ Teresa ♥ says
My husband and I have been through some really tough trials but the Lord has taught us so much. Now I can honestly say that after 19 years (coming up on September 22nd), I believe we are headed for that image of the sweet elderly couple. We have learned a lot the hard way but when the going got tough, we stuck in there and I’m SO glad we did. He is amazing. He loves me UNCONDITIONALLY. He treats me like a queen every single day. I love him with all my heart and I try to make sure I always show him. Life is hard right now because of my illness but it is still so good.
Teresa <><
http://toomanyheartbeats.blogspot.com/
Missy says
What a great post Traci.
moweezle says
Once, when I was in Rhodes, Greece I saw the cutest old couple walking through the old city, hand-in-hand. It was the most adorable thing I had seen in such a long time. 🙂
Lindsey @ A New Life says
“united in hope” is absolutely beautiful. What else can we hold on to in this world except hope in God?