Life is tough!

 

 Life has a way of throwing distraction after distraction into our faces; and we, in response, take our eyes off what is truly important.  We get so wrapped up in provision, caring, doing, being, and everything else that we forget the moments that bring us the greatest joy.

 

For me, my moments of greatest joy are those moments that are forever etched on my mind.

 

I will always remember the day that my uncle saved my life when I was just a toddler.  It is one of those things that is inscribed on my mind.  I do not remember much of what happened, just seeing my uncle reaching down into the water to pull me out.

 

I will always remember the day (actually, early morning) when Pastor Bob led me to the Savior.  Even though it was one in the morning, he got out of bed and led me to Christ.

 

I will always remember the day I graduated from college.

 

I will always remember the day I met the most beautiful girl in the world.  She was playing a piano, full of life, and absolutely gorgeous.

 

I will always remember when she said, “Yes!” (with tears).  I asked her as an illustration to a Sunday School lesson.  She immediately ran upstairs to tell her mother and everyone else in the church.

 

I will always remember the day we said, “I do!”

 

I will always remember the moment when my beautiful wife gave birth to our first son.  It was one of those moments that was scary and exciting.

 

I will always remember the moment when my beautiful wife gave birth to our second son.  It was also scary and exciting.

 

But, as life goes on, it is so easy to push those moments aside.  It is something that is much easier for us “unromantic” men.  So, for those of you who are men and have a wonderful girl, allow me to give you some unsolicited advice.

 

§         Treasure every moment you have with your darling.

§         Be a man.  Don’t abdicate your role as your darling’s protector, her leader, her safe place.

§         For those who are married, understand that you are your wife’s pastor.  That means that you lead, guide, and pray with and for your wife (It also means that you are going to have to have your life straight with God.  Don’t let her down).

§         Love her with unselfish, unconditional, and unrequited love.  You do not have the choice of loving her if you like it.  Remember that we as men are required to love our wives as Christ loved the Church – sacrificially.  It is one of the hard things of life that must be done.

§         Make moments that the two of you can cherish from your rocking chairs when you both are 80.

§         Never, never entrust the heart of your beloved to anyone else, for any reason!  Her heart belongs to you. Your heart belongs to her.

§         Don’t be an idiot and hurt your wife with another woman coming closer to your heart than she is and deserves.

§         Married and dating: Treasure every moment with her. Make every moment a treasure!  Let her know that she is your most valuable treasure!