I had a conversation, this morning, with a man that I know very well. His heart was troubled and I knew it when I first saw him. I asked him if he had enjoyed a nice extended Christmas break. He stood silently without saying much. I knew what the answer was. I asked him what was troubling him. He began to tell me some of the things that were weighing heavily on his mind.
I perfectly understand that everyone of us has those moments when things that would normally be good seem to bother us. Because I know how my friend feels today I decided to lend a listening ear without offering a single bit of advice. He talked for a half hour and seemed relieved to just sputter his frustrations.
I will tell you that much of his frustration comes from the lack of being able to feel unified in his immediate family relations.
Early on in our marriage, Becky and I decided that we wanted to be unified together on everything that we did, with each other. That didn't mean that we couldn't continue to have our own personalities. We had the sincere desire to be ONE. Now, I understand that for some people that means that some difficult obstacles have to be overcome. I see that as overcoming oneself for the benefit of the couple.
My friend has been married to the same woman for many years and they are still trying to overcome their own selves in order to find the oneness that they hope will come.
In this station of my life I feel grateful to share life with a woman who desires to have OUR life together. My heart hurts today for my friend who longs for a life together but still must overcome some things for himself.
Our family should be the most important unit of association that we have.
I was taught as a young boy, from parents who loved me a great deal, that a person should not ever do or say something that would be harmful to somebody that they profess to love the very most. That statement feels as true today as the day that it was taught to me. We need to strive to cement our family relationships into those filled with unity!
