When it comes to marriage, theologians have often called our marriage partner our ‘beloved enemy’. That doesn’t sound good!
What they mean by this is nothing to do with violence, but that our partner fits us well, but not perfectly.
They are the person we need to provoke, prod and push us to become all we could be; to achieve maturity.
Being this person rather than being easy to get along with – we might find them annoying at times, irritating and just down-right different to us.
That’s the point. Their abrasiveness will rub the rough edges off us. Their irritation will cause us to grow a few pearls.
Of course, this only works when you embrace the process; when you are both willing to change for the other. If you fight it, you’re only fighting a wonderful future.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.
PICTURE: Carola Diessen/www.freeimages.com
