Genesis 2:20

So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.

This week my husband and I will celebrate thirty-six years of wedded bliss. I might be stretching the bliss part a bit here, but oh well, the number of years is correct. Not everyday has been full of enduring embraces and love taps. Like every other couple there are some days when the spouse and I just don’t gee-haw. We’ve had a few rough spots over the years, but for some reason we’ve hung together, and I am so thankful we did. There were times when I never thought we’d make it this far, but we’ve been blessed because we stayed together.

Being married is kind of like birthing a baby. The pain of labor is intense. Time stops. It takes all the strength a woman has to deliver that babe. During the process you’re thinking: I will never put myself through this again. But you do. When you see the result of your agony, you realize every second of pain was worth it.

When you’re married sometimes you think: I can’t do this. Why should I stick it out? Now I am no authority on marriage but we all need to realize that when troubles arise in a relationship it usually isn’t the fault of one, but both. If you really love and respect each other you discuss your problems, your wants and needs, apologize for whatever you did or didn’t do, and like childbirth, you forget the pain of the ordeal and carry on.

I’m not saying you should stay in an abusive situation. Never, ever let someone belittle you with words or strike you with their hand. Just pray for wisdom if you’re facing a difficult time in your marriage. Make sure you’re doing everything possible to fix your life together. God’s plan is for a married man and woman to live out all their days together.

He also knows we’re human and being human, we’re selfish. Don’t look over the fence and think that the milk is more delicious and the honey sweeter on the other side. On the surface milk looks pure white and is cool and pleasing to the tongue, but it soon spoils. And honey is delectable and tasty, but it attracts bees and we all know bees sting.

Through all the rough spots, the ups and downs of raising children, financial struggles, and just plain old selfishness I am thankful that the good Lord saw fit for Jerry and I to stick together. Even after thirty-six years some days are not perfect. And, I know that if I’m around to celebrate my golden anniversary I’ll still be saying everything is not always great. Perfection exists in only one person, and that is Jesus Christ. Just remember that God made a man and woman to be helpmates. Are you being selfish, or are you uplifting your mate?

On a different note, I hope all you dad’s out there had a blessed Father’s Day. If your daddy is still around, let him know how much you love him, and how much you appreciate the things he’s done for you. Thirty years ago this November the 3^rd, on a cool autumn afternoon I told my daddy goodbye for the day, and I never saw him alive again. He was fifty years old.