The School of Love

For those of us who are in training or happen to be enrolled, here are some invaluable tips for marriage. They were given to Mrs. M. Kassian from her mother on the occassion of her 60th wedding anniversary. Here's what she encourages her daughter with:

1) Don’t confuse love with infatuation. Love is much more than just a feeling—it’s a choice.
2) Love is giving and serving.
3) To love, you need to “grow up” and make mature instead of childish choices.
4) When you say “I do” on your wedding day, you enter into the school of love. Remember that you will always be a student. Learning how to love requires constant, life-long effort.
5) As you go through life, you will have to adjust to one another again and again.
6) To overcome difficulties, you have to set aside personal interests and die to self. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.
7) Always try to esteem, recognize and encourage your spouse.
8) Read Gods precious Word together for encouragement and guidance.
9) Pray together.
10) Use the “Love Passage” (1 Corinthians 13) to regularly evaluate if you’re doing a good job loving your spouse:

Am I patient with my spouse?
Am I kind to my spouse?
Am I envious of, or feel like I’m in competition with my spouse?
Am I boastful that I am better than my spouse?
Am I rude toward my spouse?
Am I seeking my own interests rather than my spouse’s interests?
Am I easily angered?
Do I keep a record of wrongs?
Do I always protect and guard our relationship?
Do I choose to trust my spouse?
Do I hold on to hope for our marriage?
Do I always persevere?
Does my love for my spouse never fail?

You can read the whole article here.