A Good Wife
Good Morning Friends,
Today is Amy and my thirty-fifth anniversary!!! The journey is a kind of milestone of sorts… thousands of moments of commitment with kind eyes and forgiveness. Many have been married for much longer and many never made it this far. You know, I really never get tired of doing little things for Amy. With her in mind it gives me a chance this morning to ponder scripture about weddings and love and what it means to have A Good Wife.
Scripture: On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.
John 2:1-12 (ESV)
Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. May her breasts satisfy you at all times; may you be intoxicated always by her love.
Proverbs 5:18-19 (NRSV)
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour from the Lord.
Proverbs 18:22 (NRSV)
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:2-3 (NRSV)
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.
1 John 4:18 (NRSV)
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:14 (NRSV)
Message: Scripture does not tell us who is getting married in this place of celebration and safety at Cana. Maybe that gives us the opportunity to write ourselves into the story. Here I find that love and respect will make any good relationship better. Here I see two strong characters in Mary and Jesus sharing moments and memories and taking turns being strong for each other, and it seems that this is a good characteristic for a husband and wife to have. So too in marriage we are to take our mistakes and turn them into something absolutely amazing. Here we are both vulnerable and strong. It brings out the best in us and then it changes you in ways we could have never have expected. Here marriage is a promise. Not just between the couple but to
the community at large, to generations past and to those yet to be born. Here we find happiness in the face of incompatibility. Yes it is a miracle. For the better. Here we embrace a smile as we live a dream together shared with God. Here we discover that being a better husband makes for a better wife.
Pray we understand the language of the heart. Pray we embrace the impossible possibility of love. Pray we grow together in love. Pray we share the full value of joy by multiplying it even as it is divided. Pray we listen to your partner in a way that
they cannot possibly doubt that they are loved. Pray we show affection daily for our mates. Pray we communicate our interest in their interests. Pray we realize that love requires honesty and openness. Pray we realize the importance of the security of support, a commitment to family and a sanctifying love of God that keeps us growing. Pray we rejoice in a celebration of commitment that lasts more than a lifetime.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 