Blog 2988 – 01.04.2024

Best Thing That Ever Happened

One of the most sobering lines in standard wedding vows is, “In sickness and in health, for better or worse, till death do us part.” Today’s song echoes those words, “There have been times when times were hard but always I made it through, for every moment that I spent hurting there was a moment that I spent, ah just loving you. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”

If you are looking for a trouble free life, a pain free existence, a romantic romp in paradise, I do not recommend marriage. In my mind there is only one reason to marry someone and that is because you love them and like them, truly believing that they are the best thing that ever happened to you. All the other reasons will prove to be inadequate and not strong enough to keep you together when the storms of life attempt to tear you apart.

I am reminded of an old joke an elderly pastor friend shared with me when I was a young man.

A few days after a couple was married the man brought his wife back to the preacher and said, “Preacher I want you to untie this knot that you done tied.’” The preacher said, “Remember, you promised ‘for better or worse.’” The young husband replied, “Yeah, but she’s done worser than I ever thought she would.”

That my friends is true of both husbands and wives. Love sees the highest and best in another despite behaviors we might not particularly like. People dating are often on their best behavior and seldom display their less attractive attributes. Older people are always telling young people not to rush the courtship hoping time will provide opportunities for each to see the other at their less than best.

Love is not blind, but enables us to see deeper, wider, higher. It is quite possible to love someone and yet not wish to live in close proximity with them. You might want to get to know them enough to see whether you like them enough to want them in your life and to be in theirs. You or they may indeed do “worser” than either ever thought.

Just some food for thought when considering the best thing that ever happened to you.

You friend and fellow traveler,

David White

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jeJWENi351fHPRsJkt1gfPG2qHleNKJe/view?usp=drivesdk

Best Thing That Ever Happened