This Labor Day weekend I was reminded of just how unboring life is with Seth.
We do this thing where we ask random questions to each other. Some are
meaningful. "Would your younger self look up to you today?" or "Is there
anything you actively avoid thinking about?" Some are not. "If I showed
up dressed to the nines, would you go to prom with me today?" "Do you
think Po thinks she's OUR parent?" Oh, and my favorite, "Is there anyone else like me?"
The Creator is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit- Psalm 34:18
Question: Do you know your
spouse's greatest pains and fears? Are you aware of the places where
their hearts are the most tender and sensitive to touch? Have you truly
stopped to listen lately or to ask what they still experience from a
certain loss or betrayal they've undergone? Are there sins from the past
they cannot seem to move beyond, cannot seem to receive the Creator's
forgiveness in ways that truly release them from feeling guilty and
ashamed?
I could see how a spouse could grow impatient
with how long it's taking the other to deal with some painful matter of
the heart. But I find that it's not our job to be timekeeper. In fact,
there may be ways Creator can use you to speed up their healing process,
to encourage them to keep this from stripping away their ability to
enjoy life fully and embrace new opportunities. But the main goal as a loving
spouse is to be there, tenderly listening to what they say and how they
say it. Loving unconditionally means loving even the parts that are
messy and complicated. Christ came to reach out and bring healing to
what seems worthless and lost. As his children, we can join Him on this
purpose in life. To listen. Heal through listening and being heard.
