I have doing a lot of thinking on relationships and all of the things people say a good one should contain. Interestingly, these things tend to vary between men and women and the young and old. In thinking about it, I have realized that my expectations have changed. So too, has my appreciation for the little things in love.
April and I have been married for 10 years now and are in a great place. That’s not to say there haven’t been a few ups and downs. There have been. What intrigues me is the fact that, we seem to be stronger now than we were when we started. We are much more secure in our feeling for the other and have found great joy in helping each other through trials.
When I consider the people I know, who have had a “privileged life” and haven’t had to endure hard times, it all makes sense to me. I’ve always thought that there are only three things that make us happy. One of those things is hard work. So, in working through hard times, trials and tribulations successfully, we find ourselves happier and stronger. In the gospel, this is referred to as, “The Refiner’s Fire.” In others words, through intense heat (trials) and the cooling waters ( the guidance of The Spirit of God), like a fine tempered blade, we become strong, indestructible and able to cut through the trials of life that, for most, seem overwhelming.
That being said; is it better then, in the long run, to live a lavish, overindulged life of flighty expectations and unquenchable worldly desires, or one of reverent appreciation for the people in one’s life and the investment of time and hard work into the relationships therewith. It truly is a hard pill to swallow for some of us.
Consider the following: Why is it that when we spend our days in the pursuit of the almighty dollar, and trying to decide what we want to spend it on, in many instances, we are left wanting more, planning our next purchase. Conversely, we spend time with our family members and friends, engaging in good wholesome activities, all the while, learning more about each other, we come away with a very different sensation. Our hearts are filled with appreciation for those whom we have grown to love and a satisfaction that is not easily reproduced any other way.
How will you invest your time? What is important to you now? Will that change as you go through life? When was the last time you evaluated your wants and weighed them against your needs? What if the things that were important to you remained constant? Family, friends…people. Serve the Lord with all you might, mind and strength. Be a good example to those around you. Pray unceasingly for prudence and the strength to carry out that which you know to be right.
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