Every now and then there are times in a marriage when you start wondering why on earth you chose that husband or this wife. And then you berate yourself for not listening to Paul when he said it is actually better to remain unmarried.

It seems to me that the longer we are together, the battles become less and less for some of us. I suspect this has something to do with love. The love between you grows. You start looking beyond the faults. We leave more and more space for the other and the own self holds back a bit. We care more for the other one than for ourselves. What was so important to me becomes less non-negotiable. Peace becomes more important than the storm clouds hanging over our heads. That is love – when the other one becomes more important than me.

This is the result of wisdom. Such a pity that many people give up so easily, even before wisdom gets a chance to move.

Love is the glue that makes people stick together. Yes, sometimes you just want to give up. Sometimes the storm is so bad that you cannot imagine how you will ever face one another again. But you do get together again, one way or another. Love pulls the loose pieces together again.

That is what marriages need. That is what the world needs. That is what every relationship in the world needs. Love. Love for one another. And in a way the young Christians of Thessalonica managed to get this right from the start: ³You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it’s a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully.

Can one say the same about you and me? Do you, like me, hang your head in shame? Sorry to say, this process of becoming more like Jesus is struggling to get off the ground.

The world has such a great need for God’s love. Everything is falling apart and we don’t see the light, because we as Christians are not sowing enough of God’s love in the world.

We must turn and look at Jesus again. He is the perfect example of how one can sow love. It’s a love of giving. A love that expects nothing in return. Jesus did not debate the issue with mankind – He didn’t ask what we were prepared to give in return for his death on the cross. He didn’t give to get something back. He simply gave his life, his everything, selflessly.

This is what the world needs. This is what the people around you need. In your marriage, your relationships, with your friends and colleagues. They all long for your selfless love.

I know it is really difficult, but go and try living a life of giving without expecting something in return. The world, your world, will look different.

May God, with his Spirit, help us to this and may others also say about us one day: … your love for each other is developing wonderfully

Scripture

2 Thessalonians 1:3-6

Reflection

How much love are you sowing?

Where around you is love needed?

Where do you have to try harder?

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for your selfless love. Thank you that we are the recipients of that love. Please help us live that love to those around us. Amen.