A Weekly Devotional from the
South Green Street Church of Christ

A husband and a wife were sitting before a marriage counselor, seeking his help.  While the husband seemed oblivious to any problems, the wife complained about how inattentive he is to her.  The counselor decided to test the husband and asked him, "What is your wife's favorite flower? To which the husband proudly and unhesitantly replied, "I know this one.  I buy it for her all the time."  He then leaned over, affectionately patted his wife's arm and said, "It's Pillsbury, isn't it honey?"

While we may chuckle at the above fictional story, real-life marriage problems are anything but funny.  Yet, more and more people find themselves in failing marriages.  Statistics tell us that one out of every two marriages entered into is broken in the courtroom.  I am forced to wonder of those that aren't officially broken in the courtroom, how many are broken in the heart?

While I understand that marriage problems are often complex, and wounds inflicted by hurtful words and actions take time to heal, the key to a successful marriage is selflessness.

If we could stop concentrating on having our own needs met, and rather, focus on ways to meet the needs of our spouse, our marriages would flourish.  Give rather than receive.  Serve rather than be served.  Minister rather than be ministered unto.  Look out for the interests of others, not just your own interests, etc. 

It almost sounds like something our Lord would say, now doesn't it?