Ruth Bell Graham
This quote came up at my wife Erin's and my small group meeting Tuesday night, while we were discussing 1 Peter 4:8-11, which is (to me) one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible about love. Our group spoke about how the line "love covers over a multitude of sins" is a perfect picture of marriage, because every marriage is the union of two hopeless sinners, and the ability to forgive your partner is probably the most crucial skill a spouse could have.
I have certainly found this to be true in my own marriage—I am daily awed by my bride's ability to forgive. Our culture loves to tout communication as the number-one key to a happy marriage, but give me forgiveness any day. It's no coincidence to me that men are called to love their wives as Christ loves the church, and the quintessential Christlike quality (the reason Christ came to this earth) is forgiveness.
This idea was wonderfully expressed in a book Erin and I read in the months before our wedding called As for Me and My House by Walter Wangerin Jr. If you're looking for a thoughtful book on marriage, one that features an old, wise, eloquent, compassionate, honest, humble, married pastor telling his story rather than "25 easy steps to a successful marriage," this is the book for you. I would recommend it to anyone.
I've never heard that quote before. I'm glad I have now. After 33 years I have to agree and hope I'll live it more in the future.
ReplyDeleteMom, you and Dad's example as a couple who forgives each other often has had such a positive impact on my life. Congratulatioms as always on 33 years (11 times as many as me!)
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this book right now. It's difficult for me, but helpful. Thanks for the recommendation, sir.
ReplyDelete-Aaron