WOTD – The time continues to draw closer to when my boys will start to date and eventually get married. As I reminisce about my own experience, I look back to how my faith helped me pick out that special gal. After 21 years of marriage, I can say that the scriptures are true when it talks about an excellent wife. King Solomon writes, 10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels… 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Pro. 31:10,30
I was lucky to land a beautiful wife, but no matter what she looked like in her youth, I did not choose her because of her looks. In Truth, I chose her because of her eyes. I don’t even think I could explain it at the time, but her eyes were innocent and full of joy. Her bright blue eyes truly sparkled, and I have never seen any other woman’s eyes sparkle the way her eyes danced when looking my way.
Now that I am old enough in my faith, I look back and see that the sparkle I fell in love with was part infatuation, yet much of it was a reflection of her relationship with God. Like my family, Christina’s family raised her up in the church. And back then, she didn’t just go to church once a week. Her life revolved around her faith in God.
After 21 years of marriage, I would love to say that I have made it easy on my bride to love me, but all marriages have their ups and downs. Every relationship will have seasons of euphoria and hardships, yet those who work together through those tough times get to share in those precious moments of intimacy and oneness that most marriages will never experience.
I have seen many relationships fall apart and I have seen many struggling marriages survive the toughest of times hand in hand. So, what is the key to making it? What is the key to a lasting marriage that is filled with joy? The secret is not “how a girl looks” or “what she likes” or “who her parents are”. It is all about the core thing that drives her. It is her spirit.
If I have said this once, I have said it a thousand times. This is the greatest advice I can give someone looking to develop a lasting marriage filled with joy. It is the same advice I will give my children as they seek out the person they will be united to in this life. And that advice is this…
Seek out a spouse that loves God more than he or she could ever love you. For the love they have in God will overflow into all of the relationships and aspects of their life. Therefore, when the hard seasons come, (and they will), the spouse who loves the Lord will remain at your side no matter the hardship. Just as Christ remains with us, so the spouse who truly loves the Lord will strive to continue to love you in the good times and the bad.
I have been married for awhile now. And even though I married up and really have no idea how I caught the eye of such a lady, I thank the Lord that he gave me someone who loves the Lord more than she loves me.
Find a woman who fears the Lord and you have found an excellent wife. Happy Birthday Christina Oakes. Thank you for loving me as you love the Lord. You are an excellent wife and mother.
