A HAPPY MARRIAGE IS A WONDERFUL BLESSING

Winston Churchill[1] once attended a formal banquet in London at which the attending dignitaries were asked the question, “If you could not be who you are, who would you like to be?” Naturally everyone was curious as to what Churchill, seated next to his beloved Clemmie, would say. When it finally came Churchill’s turn, the old man, who was the dinner’s last respondent to the question, rose and gave his answer. “If I could not be who I am, I would most like to be” — here he paused to take his wife’s hand — “Lady Churchill’s second husband.” The old boy made some points that night. But his comments also apply to everyone who has a good marriage.

THE SEVEN AGES OF THE MARRIED COLD

Several years ago, the Saturday Evening Post published an article entitled "The Seven Ages of the Married Cold."  It revealed the reaction of a husband to his wife's colds during their first seven years of marriage.  It went something like this:

·         The first year:  "Sugar dumpling, I'm really worried about my baby girl.  You've got a bad sniffle, and there's no telling about these things with all this strep throat going around.  I'm putting you in the hospital this afternoon for a general checkup and a good rest.  I know the food's lousy, but I'll be bringing your meals in from Rossini's.  I've already got it all arranged with the floor superintendent."

·         The second year:  "Listen, darling, I don't like the sound of that cough.  I called Doc Miller and asked him to rush over here.  Now you go to bed like a good girl, please?  Just for papa."

·         The third year:  "Maybe you'd better lie down, honey; nothing like a little rest when you feel lousy.  I'll bring you something to eat.  Have you got any canned soup?"

·         The fourth year:  "Now look, dear, be sensible.  After you've fed the kids, washed the dishes, and finished the floor, you'd better lie down."

·         The fifth year:  "Why don't you take a couple of aspirin?"

·         The sixth year:  "I wish you'd just gargle or something, instead of sitting around all evening barking like a seal!"

·         The seventh year:  "For Pete's sake, stop sneezing!  Are you trying to give me pneumonia?!

The decline of marriage as seen through the common cold is a funny look at a not-so-funny reality.

One gifted author[2] has identified 25 ways to be a husband discipling his wife:

1.       A husband discipling his wife includes his wife in envisioning the future. 

2.       A husband discipling his wife accepts spiritual responsibility for his family.