‘For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it.’
Ephesians 5:29
When it comes to loving your husband or wife, the Bible uses the words ‘nourishes and cherishes’. The word nourish means ‘to build up, strengthen, develop, and sharpen’. The word cherish means ‘to treasure, value, protect, and celebrate’.
Do you recall how you felt as a child at your birthday party when you were treated like the most special person in the room? Now you’re older and more mature, but don’t you still want to be celebrated that way…just a little bit, once in a while? Come on, admit it - you know you do!
Feeling celebrated in a loving relationship is essential to its health. It’s nice to be the object of the celebration, but it’s equally important to plan celebrations for and with your partner. Whether it’s for big occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and job promotions, or smaller occasions that matter only to the two of you, making your spouse feel special and cherished in ways that matter to him or her helps create a lifelong bond between you.
Now, being celebrated doesn’t mean that life is always a party. Sometimes celebration includes comforting and consoling each other through the dark days and tough times. In fact, the ability to celebrate the joys of life amid its bitter downturns is a priceless quality you’ll find only in mature individuals. It’s easy to celebrate the good times, but you need someone to love you and stand by you after the holiday ends and the workday begins.
So the word for you today is: nourish and cherish each other!
2 King 13-14, Acts 10:1-23
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