TODAY'S FOOD FOR THE SOUL 1 Peter 3:1-12 TODAY'S RHEMA 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
"You are cheating on me, huh?!" Lea accused her husband, John. "You used to check on me every day, brought me flowers and food, you knew when I was sad, but not anymore. When you go on a business trip for a week, you don't even remember to call me to know how I am doing, let alone bring me anything!" John took a deep breath and replied, "I'm not cheating. I just do not love you the same now. After all, we are not young anymore. I am still supporting you and the kids, financially don't I?
Life after marriage for many isn't as beautiful as courtship period where we'll likely do anything to please our boy/girlfriend and having butterflies in our stomach. However, after being married for few years, the fervent love shift into a form of responsibility. The special treatment of our partner changes into dividing home chores. Many would think that it is good enough to raise the children well and so the wife and husband just need to focus on their own responsibilities. But as they spend less quality time together, the love will fade away also.
We shouldn't treat our partner based on what we feel about them. Beyond emotions, true love is the commitment we have made. That is what God showed us in Christ. As long as we live, we'll always make mistakes, and sin against God. However, God executed the plan to restore mankind's relationship with Himself. What happened on the cross is the real proof of the commitment of God's love to us. This showed that to love is to give the best for the other party, for the goodness of the other party regardless of their response. At the end of the day, commitment is the only thing that enables us to love after we've been hurt, to hope after we've been disappointed and to patiently wait on God's promises to be fulfilled in our marriage. REFLECTION Saudara Terkasih, It is not easy to treat your spouse well after being hurt, therefore you need to be fully committed so as to rebuild a happy marriage. APPLICATIONS 1. How do you treat your spouse? How does this affect your relationship? 2. Why is full commitment required to rebuild a happy marriage? 3. How can you treat your spouse in a special way again? Write down your commitment. TODAY'S PRAYER "Good heavenly Father, thank you for your everlasting love for me. Please fill my heart with your love so I can renew my commitment to love my spouse wholeheartedly, as You've loved me. In Jesus name, I pray, amen."
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