Tag: You and Me Forever

‘Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. ‘ Ephesians 4:2(NLT)

Author of The Scarlet Letter, one of the first mass-produced books in America, Nathaniel Hawthorne did not only owe his success to the daily encouragement of his wife, but also because he was given an opportunity to write this amazing creation. 

When Nathaniel lost his job, he returned home to tell his wife that he was a failure. What surprised him was when his wife replied, “Now you can write your book!”  

“How are we able to live while I’m writing a book?” His amazing wife took out a lot of cash. “Where did you get so much money?”

The wife answered, “I’ve known for a long time that you are a genius and you will write an amazing book. Therefore, I scrimped and saved from our grocery money every week. This money is enough for our living expenses for one year.” Hawthorne finally wrote the best book that he had ever written—The Scarlet Letter.

This story gives an illustration of the importance of a constructive relationship in a family. Nathaniel would not have been able to produce this amazing book without the support and help from his wife. If a husband and a wife could support and build one another, they could turn many problems into an opportunity to produce something extraordinary.

Prayer: Lord, teach us to work together in building our marriage, family, and future. Teach us to support and strengthen one another in everything that we are going through. Amen. 

from You and Me, Forever

‘Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. ‘ Colossians 3:14(NLT)

If my child asked me, “Mommy, how do I find true love?” This is what I would say: “Love is an attitude of your mind and heart. Love is not dependent on appearance, physical strength or romantic ambiance”.

“Your dad did not arrange romantic dinners or a second honeymoon. He did not bring me flowers. What he did was to repair my car and ensure that the tank was filled so I would not be stranded. He cleaned the carpet when grandma was scheduled to come, not because he cared about clean carpet, but because he knew I cared. Even though your dad did not like pets, when our cat died, he buried it for me. He comforted me when I cried and encouraged me to adopt kittens. So, remember, true love – continuous kindness – may come disguised, and often goes unnoticed.”

Love is not only shown by giving something expensive or something spectacular. Often, love is shown through continuous concern and the attitude of selfless serving. Let our family life be filled with care and service to one another, so that love will continue growing in our families. 

Prayer: Lord, teach us to be more sensitive to see the needs of our spouses and children. Give us the desire to serve and do the best for our families. Amen. 

from You and Me, Forever

‘Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.’ Proverbs 3:4-5(NLT)

John and Margie Cooper got married in 1941. They lived on a large farm and had high hopes to be the biggest producer in that country. However, four years later after Margie gave birth to two children, she contracted polio and had to spend most of her time in bed. Gone were all the hopes and dreams that John had for his marriage with Margie. They did not have anyone who could help John take care of Margie and the children. All the aspirations and dreams to own the biggest farm were gone because John had to give most of his time caring for his wife and children.

When John and Margie celebrated their 50th marriage anniversary, a distant friend asked John to explain his selfless, faithful years towards his disabled wife. John said something worth remembering, “How do I explain the years of my faithfulness to Margie? I had promised from the start that I would be with her no matter what happened, and I am a man of my word.” It might seem simple to some, but to John Cooper, it was the utmost foundation and he never looked back. 

Indeed, the foundation of marriage is the existence of the bond between a husband and a wife. When they enter into a marriage, they have no other way, except to live the marriage and never look back. When a husband and a wife hold onto what they promised to each other in their marriage vows, their marriage will survive every wave of life.

Prayer: Lord, teach us to hold fast to our marriage no matter what we face. We believe in Your power, presence, and help in every situation that we encounter.

from You and Me, Forever

‘Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. ‘ 1 Peter 4:8(NLT)

Slat Grobnik, a seller of Christmas trees, was observing a couple who was looking for a tree. The husband was slim and his wife was quite attractive, but they wore clothes that seemed to be bought from the Salvation Army. After passing by several very expensive Christmas trees, they found a pine Scotch tree with was quite OK on one side but had not so many leaves on the other side. They took another tree which was not in a better condition than the previous trees because one of its sides did not have many leaves. The wife whispered to her husband, and the husband asked if both trees could be bought at the price of $3. Slat realized that it would be difficult for him to sell those trees, so finally, he agreed to sell them both for $3. 

A few days later Slat was walking when he saw a beautiful tree in the couple’s apartment. The tree was full and the shape was good. He knocked on the door and the couple explained how they had tied the two trees together with the bare sides touching. The branches of the trees crossed over one another making the trees appear as one.. 

“So that is your secret,” exclaimed Slat, “You just took two imperfect trees with flaws that could have been discarded because no one would accept them. But united in the right way, you produced something so beautiful.”

The same goes for a marriage. We could not find a perfect husband or wife. Every one of us has so many imperfections. However, when we can complement and support each other and accept our spouse’s imperfections, we can have a beautiful marriage. 

Prayer: Lord, teach us to accept our spouse’s flaws and help us to complement each other in the family. Amen.

from You and Me, Forever

‘Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. ‘ Colossians 3:14(NLT)

The massive house, Castleward was built in the 1760s and located about 30 miles from Belfast, Ireland. 

The first owner of this house was Bernard Ward and his wife, Lady Anne. One of the striking features of this house was the existence of two architectural styles. The back part of the house was built in the Gothic style, while the front part of the house was built in Neo-Classic style. This house was built this way because Bernard and Lady Anne could not agree with the architectural style of their house. Not only were they different in architectural style, but they also had so many differences that Lady Anne finally decided to leave the marriage.

Depending on your viewpoint, that house could be used as a symbol to celebrate the existence of differences, or a monument of their pride. Differences in thoughts, feelings, and hopes of husband and wife are quite common in a family. How the couple sees the differences will decide the happiness of their marriage. Let us view each difference positively, and be open to receive and adapt to each difference. When husband and wife can accept each other and be ready to adjust, differences in the family will enrich their married life. 

Prayer: Lord, teach us not to focus on our differences. Allow us to accept one another and focus on Your plans in our family life. Amen.

from You and Me, Forever

‘So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:11(NLT)

Don Wilton wrote, “People give up at times when they feel unappreciated.” 

George and Mary Lou were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Someone asked George, “What is the recipe for a long-lasting and happy marriage?” George explained that after he got married, his parent in-laws gave him a gift. The gift was a gold watch that was still worn by George at that time. He showed this watch to the person. A sentence was written on the surface of the watch, “Say something sweet to Mary Lou.” 

It seems that all of us need that kind of watch. 

In his book, Blink, Malcolm Gladwell wrote about a relationship and friendship expert who could estimate the success potential of a married couple. He stated that the success of the marriage is determined by the interaction and communication between each other. What sign did he see that a marriage could experience a problem? Words that do not edify each other. 

If someone treats his partner with negative words, their relationship will usually fail. To be valued, you need to know how to value other people. To be respected, you need to sincerely respect others. When we look down on someone, we see him as a victim and not a person.

How is our communication in the family, be it in the relationship between husband and wife or with our children? Let us build a family filled with constructive words that build and strengthen each other. If we can do this, our family surely will be happier.

Prayer: Lord, teach us how to use our words to edify and strengthen one another. Let our words impart love and new enthusiasm. Amen.

from You and Me, Forever

‘This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. ‘ John 15:12(NLT)

For fifty-seven years, Steven Henning from Huntley, Illinois, could not hear the sound of music, laughter, or even other people’s voices. Even though he had a good life, Steven still longed to hear the voices of those whom he loved. 

During the winter season in 2001, he heard news about an operation that could make sound waves bypass the non-functioning part of the ear and go straight into the auditory nerves. He underwent this operation on 30th January. Because the hearing aid could not be attached and activated before the swelling in his ears had subsided, both Steve and the doctor did not have any idea if the operation was successful.

Finally, after waiting anxiously for six weeks, the auditory specialist attached the hearing aid. Then the doctor asked Steve’s wife to say something. Pat Henning approached her husband and gently said, “I love you.” Steve smiled as he was finally able to hear for the first time in sixty years. The first words he heard were words of love. 

The same goes for our marriage and family life. Let every word that we say daily to others be the words of love. When we speak words of love to our spouse and children, we sow love into their lives. The life which is full with love will make our family be filled with joy. 

Prayer: Lord, teach us to always sow words of love in our family. Let our words bring forth Your love in our family. Amen.

from You and Me, Forever