A Pleasure to Meet You

When we were first married, my guy and I lived in a small remote town in a state where we knew no one. This was ideal for us because we had a lot of issues to work through in the first couple of years of marriage, and only each other to turn to.

After the first few months, we became close friends with a couple approximately ten years ahead of us. They were peaceful, strong Christians who loved and respected each other very much. They were literally a Godsend to us, because they modeled what a strong marriage could look like and didn’t judge our infancy stage.

The woman was particularly a blessing to me, because she taught me how to navigate friendships after marriage. I would come up with fun excursions for the two of us to go on and she would check with her guy to make sure it was okay, talk positively about him while we were together, and be thankful for the fact that he was with their child while we were away. I was watching very closely because I wanted to get this right. It has been almost twenty years now, and I can still find no fault in the example this woman was to me.

As we were moving from that state a couple of years later, my friend gave me a gift and told me not to open it until we had arrived at our new home. When I did, I found two items that I had loved from her home: a silly drinking glass that I had made fun of many times, and an antique butter dish I had loved since the first time I saw it. She was still sharing herself with me as we were leaving them.

I learned a great deal about marriage and friendship in a short time from a Godly woman, and hope to someday be that kind of example to others.

 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:7-8