Let's travel back in time... on an old familiar highway... down Memory Lane, called: Love (Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the Lord, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls...). To that strong desire (1 Corinthians 7:9 “... for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.) of wanting to find someone, “that” someone, the one our heart's have next to us right now. Remember when the butterfly affect brought the most enjoyable knots to the stomach whenever they came around? Going back in time will not only resurface those treasured memories, but will also help to recognize where things start to go wrong, or has gone wrong already. I always wondered how a marriage, a thing of beauty (Isaiah 61:3), could face such obstacles, that now neither spouse is joyful, nor willing to fight for each other against the things they once promised at the alter (Revelation 2:4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.), turning their vows into ashes (Isaiah 61:3). I hope in the sharing of Bible scriptures and verses, that we not only see what it takes to live out Father's Word to Him, but what He expects out of our word into actions towards our help meet we've chosen for life (Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord Yehovah said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”, Matthew 19:6 “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”).
In taking a moment to reflect back when we first started taking an interest to our spouses, how head-over-heels we were over them. How devoted our attention was, how eager we set out to please, on and on the chase we went, with expectation we'd have their love in reciprocation. Oh the memory... and let us not forget the excitement that came, when finally receiving the hope the heart set out for. That takes me to the time when Yeshua started His search for His bride, His disciples, and how they chose to love Him back (Matthew 4:19-20 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him). Now having made mention on the attentiveness and eagerness of our willfulness to please, what were those things we put our every efforts towards? For me, when tracing back to the beautiful footsteps I took with my husband, boyfriend at the time, I can remember how late into the morning we spoke. How we shared our likes and dislikes to things. Our hopes and our dreams. Soaking in every word with admiration. Those very moments seemed to be effortless, but with love so strong, we couldn't see how much they truly were so efforted.
What happened to those moments, I often wonder(ed)? When does, or when did, the fizzy love start to fade: from after that very meet-cute moment, to the exciting announcement of becoming “official”, or the happiest day of all; our wedding day? On bended knees and tearful pleas, I reached for Father, my very help to a marital problem (Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble). So with a selected few, from Father's examples, we'll be able to see how His love for us is never ending and always striving (Exodus 34:6-7 “… who keeps lovingkindness for thousands...”, 2 Peter 3:8-9 … , but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance). Which paved the way for restoration in any or all misguided direction(s).
Going off the first made mentions: Attentiveness and Eagerness to please. That's where our first loving efforts began. We got so good at hearing and reading each other's body language and voice tones, that our intuition gravitated to finishing each other sentences, or the fulfilling of an unexpected surprise. In example, when having gone to stores with each other, we took notice to the things of interest in one another. Noted subtle gestures to the things in want; that twinkling gaze upon one's face. To bring about a forgetmenot, on an overjoyed expression that radiated: You Saw Right Through Me?! Our action that emulates Father on this can be read from Isaiah 65:24 “It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. If we don't rekindle the actions once stood, if in loss, could be found lost forever (2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine...). So let us get back to remembering our attentiveness and eagerness on impressing to please, for even Father expects the same to Him (2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind). If we are not of a sound mind to a sound doctrine by Father's desire of us, then could it stand to reason that we could be falling short in the mindfulness of the meaningful matters to our spouses? Selah.
Another memory to reflect on, is when our relationships started to take on the “serious” description. To scale the commitment that the wedding bells were starting to chime. In that chaptered memory, I remember how much my husband and I couldn't stand to be without each other. Thinking on the dates we took, the gatherings we joined, no matter where we were at, no matter the crowd, we were inseparable. Stitched at the hips, or on each other's laps, remarks came about there's no denying that. One in particular that comes to mind, that brings the giggles no doubt, is when we heard someone say, “hurry, get those two to the alter, before babies lead the way!” So what happened next comes to no shocker, we took their tease as good advice and made it a reality. (Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother; and shall cleave unto his wife: and the shall be one flesh. Proverbs 5:18-19 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth...). In keeping and in holding to Father's scriptures, by memory and deeds, both are guaranteed in remaining cleaved from their youthful: I do's.