Since tomorrow is our 52nd Anniversary I have been reflecting on the past this afternoon.

After 52 years one has the distinct advantage of having lots of memories.  Some of these have been of individuals who when we were quite new at the art of marriage gave us words of encouragement and words of wisdom.

One such lady was Emily Turansky, who one day looked at this young couple and said, “A marriage planned in heaven!”

Yes the God of Heaven had plans indeed for this couple.  And we are happy to know that part of His plan was to be here with this wonderful group of friends at Deer Creek Campers’ Church.  Here we can freely express our love and be loved by a group of well-seasoned veterans of life and marriage.

This is my commandment, that you love one another,
just as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this,
that one lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:12-13 NASB

Many couples expect romance to just happen, but we have found that intentionality is the key to rekindling the romance.  In two places Scripture says, “Husbands, love your wives” (Ephesians 5:25; Colossians 3:19).  It’s directed to husbands, but it is the right advice for wives too.  As we mentioned earlier, what’s really inspiring is that in the original Greek wording, the meaning is closer to “keep on loving your wife,” or “keep on treasuring your wife.”

Do you make to-do lists?  We sure do.  Grocery List, What to Take to Florida List, What to Take Home from Florida List, many lists.  Sometimes we make lists and lose them.  But you see whether we write them out or not, everyone has to-do lists.  We may note even in our mind to call a friend on their birthday or anniversary, paying our taxes on a certain day, or picking up that scraper before the first ice storm.

The Bible is much more focused on to-be lists than to-do lists.  Throughout the Bible, there are a variety of “to-dos” for Christians concerning how we treat each other.  They are often referred to as the “one anothers.”

Here are a few of them that we think directly related to marriage:

Romans 12:16 — Live in harmony with one another.
Romans 15:7 — Accept one another.
1 Corinthians 12:25 — Care for one another.
Galatians 5:13 — Serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:15 — Don’t spitefully hurt one another.
Galatians 5:26 — Don’t provoke or envy one another.
Galatians 6:2 — Carry one another’s burdens.
Ephesians 4:32 — Be kind to one another.
Ephesians 4:32 — Forgive one another.
Colossians 3:9 — Don’t lie to one another.
2 Corinthians 1:4 — Comfort one another.
Titus 3:3 — Don’t hate one another.
Hebrews 3:13 — Encourage one another.
James 5:9 — Don’t grumble against one another.
James 5:16 — Pray for one another.

These “one anothers” are perfect “to-dos” for a healthy marriage.

What if we lived our lives and focused our marriages on these amazing biblical mandates on how to treat our spouse?  When the day gets busy and the time runs short, we must admit that we all tend to short-cut this to-do list.

As we look at the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, He obviously lived out the “one anothers.” He understood that treating people by the Golden Rule of “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you” is not just a philosophy of life, it is the way to live life.

We love what Mother Teresa once said: “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.”  Isn’t it interesting to note that the happiest people we know are the ones whose to-do list is filled with loving and serving one another?

FAITH CONVERSATIONS:

• What is challenging about the “one another to-do” list for you?
• Which “one another” is hardest for you?

Today’s scripture says that we are to love one another as Christ loved us.  It also says that there is no greater love than when a friend lays down his life for someone else.  How can laying down your life be applied to our marriage relationship?

Going back to the list of “one anothers,” circle the three that you want to work on this week.  Think about how you will specifically accomplish these tasks.