A Late Anniversary Reflection

Photo by Me :)

 "...rejoice together with the wife of your youth. Let your loving deer and graceful colt keep company with you and be with you at all times. For in living with her love, you will be great (Proverbs 5:18a-19 OSB)."

Reading this in Proverbs as part of my morning devotions, warmed my heart and made me smile. Keeping company with Kristin, talking with her, striving with her, praying together, reading together, having our bible studies together, cooking together, walking together, talking together and even just sitting with each other without saying anything (the love that radiates in that loving silence has been one of the best lessons in recognizing the presence of God in everyday life), has been nothing less than rejoicing together with the wife of my youth. Even with the past difficult year, we have never had any barrier between us, not sickness, not worldview or culture, not on money or occupation. Our disagreements have always ended in mutual understanding and partnership as we moved forward. The times we wound each other are constantly followed by immediate requests for forgiveness and apologies because even to hurt someone's feelings whom you love so much in a small way is a grief that you desire to mend. In her love I have been great. Even after just two years, that love has grown immensely and it is always a joy to have her near me.

"...do not consider marriage lightly or casually...let us seek just one thing in a wife, virtue of soul and nobility of character, so that we may enjoy tranquillity, so that we may luxuriate in harmony and lasting love...Marriage...exists in order that we may enjoy another's help, that we may have a harbor, a refuge, and a consolation in the troubles which hang over us, and that we may converse happily with our wife...A wife who is chaste, gentle, and moderate...can make poverty better than wealth." -St. John Chrysostom