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| A
page from my experience
~ Bethany Turner |
 In
the three years that Ben and I have been married, I have developed a pet
hate: late nights. I grew up in a home where early rising was a virtue
and 8:30p.m was bedtime. Of course there were many times in my teen
years and our courtship when I enjoyed staying up late. But after we
married and I discovered that Ben did not believe in going to bed by 9,
it suddenly became a “big deal.”
I have discovered that my dearly beloved is a true night owl and regular
late nights have become a source of irritation. At times I have taken to
pleading, “Can't you do that tomorrow?” complaining, “I'm so tired it
hurts!” (trying to make him feel guilty) and often resentment begins to
eat at me as I realize that this will be yet another late night. I know
how awful I will feel in the morning.
Because late nights make personal morning devotions hard, I have felt
justified. But today God gently rebuked me by showing me a clearer
picture of true love. I was enjoying a late morning quiet time (after
yet another midnight-to-bed) when I felt impressed to read 1 Corinthians
13. I almost know it by heart and found myself skimming along till I hit
verse 4. “Charity suffers long and is kind.” As I meditated on it, the
events and feelings of last night rushed back. As the spirit of God
applied the words to my heart I wrote this down,
“Love cheerfully waits and waits without complaining or feeling
resentment and still reaches out a loving, helping hand, offering kindly
smiles and warm cheer.”
Father, take my heart. You know how much I long to linger in
Your embrace while the sun is rising. You have seen the resentment I
have harboured. And Lord, I give
You this, too. I realize that You understand and You have a better
solution. Lord, grant that I might become the loving,
understanding wife who cheerfully waits and waits and is still willing
to reach out with kindness, to meet his needs, losing sight of my own.
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