Understanding the Value of Your Time Together

Submitted by Pastor Theodore & Sis. Gloria Bryson
Mt. Nebo Baptist Church
Nashville, TN

My wife and I have been blessed to have been married for 33 years. When we married on September 30, 1972, I was serving in the U.S. Army. We knew that shortly after our marriage, I would be going to Germany for a two year tour of duty.

After spending two weeks in Miami, Florida we returned to Nashville and I departed for Germany. Although we knew we would be separated soon after our marriage, that knowledge did not ease the pain of being separated so early.  But not to worry, we had also planned that after I was settled in Germany, I would find an apartment and Gloria would come and join me. My wife at that time was a student at Tennessee State University and she would put her college plans on hold for awhile.

Our well thought out plans did not go as we had planned. Her mother became ill requiring Gloria to delay her coming to Germany for several months. When she did finally arrive, we enjoyed being together to the utmost. But that joy was soon short lived. A few months after arriving Gloria received mail informing her that the school was changing from quarters to semesters, and if she did not return to finish her degree, whatever credits she had earned would be lost. Once again, we found ourselves facing separation so soon after being together. But in the interest of her educational pursuits, we agreed that she should return to Nashville and finish her schooling rather than lose everything she had worked for. The separation was painful but we also believed that thinking long term, this was the best option.  Besides, I would be discharged from the Army in another 6-7 months.

Our being separated so early taught us a valuable lesson. That lesson was to make the most of our time together. It is our belief that many couples struggle because of not understanding the importance of time well spent together. The Bible teaches us that our lives are vapors that appears for a little while (James 4:14). That being the case, couples would do well to remember and understand the value of their time together.

Take time to talk with each other. Take time to laugh together. Take time to hold hands. Take time to take leisurely walks together. Take time to kiss each other goodbye before going out the door. Take time to watch TV together or go out for ice cream.  Take time to read the Bible and pray together. Take the time to enjoy each other's presence, so that when you are separated by the inevitability of death, you will have no regrets concerning not making the most of your time together.  

  Website - www.mountnebobaptistchurch.org
  Email - thbryson@comcast.net