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by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days.

One of the greatest forms of sacrifice you can make to please your mate is to give your time. You can make more money, and you can buy more flowers, but you can't make or buy more time. Each day is made up of 24 hours-nothing will change that.

We're all short of time. Psalm 90:12 admonishes us to "number our days." How many days do you have left? How will you use them?

I have always had an interest in art, and I enjoy looking at paintings in art galleries and museums. When we married, Dennis thought art museums were great places in which to get bored quickly. But to please me, he has spent time with me to visit quite a few museums.

In contrast, although Dennis has always loved fishing, I had no appreciation for the sport when we married. I tended to agree with the person who said, "A fisherman is a jerk on one end of a line waiting for a jerk on the other end."

But to please Dennis, I did a lot of fishing during the early years of our marriage. Later, when our expanding population of children made it impossible for me to go with him, I encouraged him to go alone or with other men, and later, as our children grew up, to take them along.

In the process of pleasing one another, we have become richer. Our horizons have expanded. I have learned that there is skill, patience, perseverance and reward in fishing. I no longer consider it to be a waste of time. Fishing has become important to me because it's part of what makes Dennis who he is. We have great vacation memories of fishing at night while our children were asleep.

To give of your time requires the greatest sacrifice. Take time for a quiet walk or a scenic drive. Above all else, simply take time for each other. If blood is the gift of life, then time is the gift of love.

Prayer:

That you will build your marriage around Jesus Christ and that you will develop some common interests that both of you can enjoy.

Discuss: What arrangements can you make to spend more time together during the next week? Each of you share one thing that you like to do that would give you some time together.

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