Article by Mildred L. Stoller.

 email..: stoller@prismnet.com (Mildred Stoller)

 July 1997 Friendship In Marriage The American Heritage Dictionary gives these definitions of: "Friendship, which is the relation of friends." "Friend is a person, whom one knows, likes and trusts," (particularly one's spouse can be and should have been the key of becoming one in marriage). "Your favored companion. One with whom is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade. One who supports and sympathizes in diverse moments of good times and bad times." The inspired scriptures shows GOD's involvement and importance He places on marriage. Read Genesis 2:24. Read Matthew 19:4-6, the same is found in Mark 6:6-9. And in summarizing Ephesians 5:21-33. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved and gave Himself for His Bride - the church. Wives are to respect and submit to their husbands as the Church respects and submits to Jesus Christ. Both husband and wife submits one to another as both together submit to Jesus Christ. Here are some themes done by "names withheld." Consider this common, bad theme: I'm paddling my own canoe upstream, earlier having deposited my spouse upon the shoreline, and as I paddle my own canoe upstream, my spouse is becoming smaller and smaller in my over-the-shoulder view. More distantly and more faintly, I see my spouse waving at me, wishing me the best, for that's about all my spouse can do. If the journey becomes difficult, I will add another canoe- paddler, someone who I think best understands the depth of my needs and wants. Now, consider this, perhaps UNcommon, good theme: More and more, concerning things to do from the depths of my heart, I want to do them with the two loves of my life - GOD, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit and then my spouse. More and more, I want the desires of BOTH our hearts to be fulfilled together, under GOD's wing, and with each other. Using another sports analogy to help embellish and visualize my hope. There are two runners, husband and wife, amidst a marathon, supporting each other, running alongside one another, toward pretty much the same important goals - to finish the race, successfully, as a team. When one gets up against "the wall," the other will encourage, exhort, lift-up. Later, when the other slams up against "the wall," the one who was earlier encouraged now will do the encouraging, exhorting, lifting up. (Stretching the analogy some) arm in arm, each holding each other's hand, together fulfilling their collective and individual needs and wants during this physical life marathon under the love, protection and guidance of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, Who makes all things possible when we seek the way of the LORD together as Husbands and Wives, Singles and those with their children. All creation GOD has given to us, especially through Jesus, is a metaphor, analogy or allegory into knowing the deeper things of GOD and having a more personal loving relationship with Him, along with our spouses,if married, family, household of faith, and all mankind. -------------------------------------------------- Creation of woman from the rib of man: She was not made of his head to top him; nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him; but out of his side to be equal with him; under his arm, to be protected; and near his heart to be beloved. "Apples of Gold" "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." (Proverbs 25:11)