December 6, 2024 – “Do You Want To or Not” – by Paul Smith

Do You Want To or Not
Life consists of making thousands of decisions. Some are small and appear insignificant, while others are monumental and life changing. Nowhere is that more evident than in a marriage. There is always something to learn in a marriage if we want to make the choice to learn. We can of course choose not to learn how we can love our spouses more, serve them better, etc. But is that really where we want to go?
Husbands and wives have their routines surrounding something as routine and simple as what happens when you are done eating. I never knew how much loading the dishwasher, cleaning the table, and emptying the dishwasher meant for Monika. It took a load off her shoulders not having to deal with that. That may sound insignificant, but I am learning it is in the small acts that we demonstrate love and commitment. I am sure I have much more to learn about how to love and serve Monika. The question we all face is do I want to?
Jesus was a Master at doing the small things for His disciples to show His love and commitment to them. He washed their feet. He chose to do that! After He arose from the dead, He met His disciples on the sea shore after a night of fishing and had a meal of fresh fried fish ready for them to eat.
Not only was He a master of doing small things for His disciples, but He was willing to listen to His disciples and answer their questions. Choosing to “listen” to our spouses is something we all can choose to be better at, if we want to.
“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” Proverbs 18:15 NIV