Love gives time wings

Have you lost your hope in marriage?

I think one of the slowest summers I can remember growing up was the summer after my freshman year of high school. I was a guy who always had to have a girl if I was really going to have a good summer. Most of my high school dating career consisted of two girls. I was a long term dater, but the summer of my freshman year I didn't have a girlfriend. As much as I tried to do the whole, I like you thing - do you like me. It just didn't work out that summer. And I swear that was the longest summer of my life. And to tell you the truth I can't remember anything else about that summer except the fact that I didn't have a girlfriend.

Apparently the opposite is also true, In Genesis chap 29 Jacob works 7 years for his uncle Laban in order to get Laban's daughter Rachel as his bride. (I know the cousin thing is weird to me too, but lets set that aside for now.) Scripture says for Jacob it was as if it were only a few days. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH isn't that sweeeeeet! But really there seems to be some truth in this. Perception wise when we are loving someone and being loved in return our days just seem to click along much faster. Slow time comes from bordem and loneliness it would seem.

The trick is though, after 7 years of working to earn Rachel, Laban gives jacob leah instead. It's only after a dark night in the tent when the light of day streams in that Jacob realizes the deception. Laban tells him the older daughter must be married first but Jacob can have Rachel too if he works for another 7 years. Fortunately Jacob doesn't have to wait 7 more years for Rachel, they get married the next week, but he does have to work 7 more.

I know and you know relationships take work. I can only imagine having to maintain two relationships with sisters none the less. I think it's crazy. But even for one marriage it takes work and time. Jacob worked 7 years just to get Rachel and 7 more to be able to keep her. But I don't think the effort stopped there.

The longest days in my marriage are the ones when Laura and I are not getting along. Isn't that just the way. I wish it was the other way around, so happier days lasted longer. But I tell you what getting through the long days. Putting in the time brings such great joy as they speed up again. The moments and the hours are a breeze full of the fragrance of joy, companionship, smiles, and laughter. And I can tell you this, those days are all the sweeter when you have come through a valley of dragging seconds.

I just want to say today I am grateful for my wife. I am glad to be married to her. I am so glad time for us right now...is flying! The work and effort over the last 10 years of our marriage has been worth it both when the minutes were flying and when they were crawling. I hope whoever is reading this will be able to catch a glimpse of the goodness of marriage.

Don't give up hope if your minutes are crawling by right now. Do whatever it takes to get back off of the runway and into the sky. And if your not married take courage not all relationships will end in divorce not all are filled with sadness. There is joy to be found, worked for, and achieved by the grace of God.