A very elderly woman showed up at St. Peter’s desk in front of the Pearly Gates. “Elizabeth,” St. Peter said. “If you can pass a simple spelling test, you can enter heaven. Just spell the world, love.”
“L-O-V-E,” the woman said.
“That’s right, welcome to heaven.”
A few weeks later, Peter called Elizabeth and asked if she would man his desk at the Pearly Gates while he was off on business. She said she would.
Who showed up first, but her husband, Henry, desiring entry into heaven.
“You know Elizabeth, I didn’t really expect to make it this close to Heaven, the stupid things I did against you on earth,” Henry said. “Dear Elizabeth, in our 50 years together I have not been faithful to you. I’ve had mistresses and you knew that… yet you took care of me when I was sick, sobered me up when I was drunk and was always so forgiving. Now we can be together for eternity.”
Elizabeth looked at him and thought for a moment. And then she said: “Yes dear, if you pass a simple spelling test, we can be together for eternity.”
“Sure said the husband and what would the test be?”
Elizabeth smiled and said, “Just spell Czechoslovakia.”
Now this theologically incorrect story is simply stating a point.
How faithful are you to the wife of your youth?
There was a person who was searching for an honest answer. His question was:
“Where in the Bible does it say that man should have only one wife?”
A wise guy overheard this and said, “The part that says, “No man shall serve two masters.”
Now I don’t know much about the Bible and the more I read it the more I am convinced I have more to learn. But the few things that I know I take it seriously. I have a suspicion that it’s not what people do not know about Scriptures that bothers them; it’s what they know that is hard for them to take. The 10 Commandments for example is pretty easy to understand but many people do not want to take it as it is. They have changed it to the 10 Suggestions.
But back to our topic on marriage.
The Ilocana (a term I lovingly call my wife Lilia) and I have been married for 27 years. We have been blessed with three children and the only thing I can say is that our relationship has simply turned out to be better as the years go by.
She was my high school sweetheart. We went steady for nine long years before we got married. What keeps us together is based on a very simple practice that we adhered to strictly. Throughout our relationship, we never threatened each other with the prospect of breaking up. Somehow deep inside our hearts we knew that if we did then we would take up the offer and live to regret it for the rest of our lives. When you do not entertain options, you will be forced to work on the issues.
The Ilocana is my best friend. She is my adviser both in business and in personal affairs. I remember a close friend asking me, “Francis, how can your wife advise you when she does not know much about your business?” It’s a fair question.
My wife may not know much about my business but she sure knows much about me.
She could tell me, “There is something odd about that man and I don’t feel like I can trust him.”
She can tell me, “Sweetheart, I think you are getting emotional…”
She can tell me, “Honey, you were too harsh in there and when you have calmed down you may want to apologize.”
I value her comments because she will never sell me out.
When I’m upset she keeps quiet and prays for me. When I’m happy she shares celebrates with me. When I act like a jerk she reminds me that I am. I value her observations and opinions.
This is why I do not expect my marriage to work. I work on my marriage every day. You work hard on your business.
You work hard on your career. You work hard on your work. But are you working hard on your marriage?
One business man said, ‘I had it all - money, a beautiful house, a big car, the love of a beautiful woman; then, Pow! it was all gone!’
‘What happened?’ asked the friend.
The businessman replied: ‘My wife found out...’
Now that is sad isn’t it?
Here is the key. Marriages are designed in heaven but the maintenance work should be done here on earth. And if you don’t share the same philosophy with me…you better learn to spell “Czechoslovakia.”
(Click on to Yahoo! Answers and ask me questions beginning October 31 to November 7. And I will be glad to answer.)