Take care of each other

The story is told of a woman who accompanied her husband to the doctor. After his checkup, the doctor called her into his office alone and said, “Your husband is suffering from a severe disease combined with horrible stress, and unless you do these things, he will die. Each morning fix him a healthy breakfast. Be pleasant throughout the day, and make sure he’s in a good mood. Make him something nutritious for lunch, and at dinnertime prepare him an especially nice meal. Don’t burden him with household chores; he’s probably had a hard day. And don’t discuss your problems with him; it will only increase his stress. In other words, try to satisfy his every whim. Do this for ten months, and I think he’ll make a complete recovery.” On the way home in the car her husband asked, “So what did the doctor say?” Looking him squarely in the eyes, she replied, “You’re not going to make it!” (Smile!) Seriously, when you reach the end of your life and look back, the two questions that will matter most are these: (1) Have you discovered God’s will and done your best to fulfill it? (2) Have you loved your spouse and your family and given them the time and attention they deserve? Solomon wrote, “God decided long ago…this is what you should do. Dress up, comb your hair, and look your best. Life is short, and you love your wife, so enjoy being with her. This is what you are supposed to do as you struggle through life on…earth” (vv. 7-9 CEV). So the word for you today is—take care of each other.