Love seeks to Heal

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.