They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But I might also add that what you don’t see in the picture is worth ten thousand more.
This beautiful woman is my wife, my best friend, and the love of my life. You wouldn’t even believe all that she does for our family if I was to tell you even a fraction of what she does. My wife makes me better in every way and points me even further to become a better follower of Jesus, a better husband, a better father, and a better pastor. She is everything I’ve ever wanted, and even more than what i thought I deserved.
However, don’t be fooled by this picture or any other picture you see people posting today of their loved ones. Marriage is hard work. Relationships are hard work. What we see people posting on social media is a fraction of what actually goes on in the relationship.
People don’t post about the arguments they have, the issues with health they go through, the struggles with finances, or even the tears they’ve shed during their marriage.
It’s not just about how this person will make you feel. When you go through the hard times, the hard times that people don’t normally post about, I can assure you that those feelings of love might not seem like they’re there anymore. When you struggle with your child’s autism or even how you’ll provide for your family, the feelings you thought you had for your spouse might feel like sand running out of your hands.
Even the bible says that the heart is deceitful above all things, so why have the foundation of your relationship be based on feelings that are fleeting?
Single people, do not fall into the lie that your life is not complete if you do not have someone in your life. Jesus was single and look at the impact he had on the world. You do not need a man or woman to give you validation or self-worth.
You are already valuable. You are already loved. I know the season of singleness can be difficult, but wait on God’s time. God is preparing a future spouse for you to do life with. And the love story that God has for you is far better than what we could ever write for yourself.
I haven’t been married for that long, but I know that marriage is about making the conscious decision to choose your wife/husband daily. That whatever happens throughout the day, choose your spouse over anything else. Even your own feelings.
If you’re married, do not follow your heart or do not fall into the idea that you just don’t feel “in love” anymore. That is the worst advice you can ever listen to.
Choose your spouse today. Choose to love them today because love is a choice.
Choose to be patient. Choose to be kind. Choose not to be envious. Choose not to be easily angered. Choose not to keep a record of wrongs.
Choose to protect, to trust, to always hope, and to always persevere.
A picture is worth a thousand words. But how we choose to love our spouses can write a thousand novels.
Guest Blogger : Timothy Opiniano