The Art of Marriage (Wilford Peterson)
“A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage, the little things are the big things. It’s never being too old to hold hands. It’s remembering to say ‘I love you’ every day. It’s never going to sleep angry. It’s having mutual values and common objectives. It’s forming a circle of love that encompasses another family. It’s speaking words of appreciation, demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It’s having the capacity to forgive & forget. It’s giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It’s finding room for the things of the spirit. It’s a common search for the good and the beautiful. It’s establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal. It’s not only marrying the right partner, it’s being the right partner.”
The Lord’s Prayer
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.”
The Apache Blessing (unknown)
“Now for you there is no rain, for one is shelter to the other. Now for you there is no darkness, for one is light to the other. Now for you there is no pain, for one is counsel to the other. Now for you, there is no cold, for one is warmth to the other. It is that way today, tomorrow, forever. Now, it is good and there is always shelter. And now there is always warmth. And now there is always comfort. And there is no loneliness. Now, forever, forever, you are as one.”
Ruth 1:16-17:
“But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”
On Friendship (Roy Croft)
“I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out; I love you for putting your hand into my heaped-up heart and passing over all the foolish, weak things that you can’t help dimly seeing there, and for drawing out into the light all the beautiful belongings that no one else had looked quite far enough to find. You have done it without a touch, without a sign. You have done it by being yourself.”
A Loving Relationship (Chuck Swindol)
“A loving relationship is one in which individuals trust each other enough to become vulnerable, secure that the other person won’t take advantage. It neither exploits nor takes the other for granted. It involves much communication, much sharing, and much tenderness. A loving relationship is one in which one can be open and honest with another without fear of being judged. It’s being secure in the knowledge that you are each other’s best friend and no matter what happens you will stand by one another. A loving relationship is one in which the individuals involved grow in their understanding and acceptance of each other’s differences. A loving relationship is one that offers forgiveness when mistakes are made and grace when failures occur. A loving relationship is one in which both individuals are committed to the growth and well-being of the other. It is a relationship that is built on a foundation of mutual respect, understanding, and unconditional love.”
The Union (Robert Fulghum)
“You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some moment, you knew you were meant to be together. There was a time when alone was enough. Now you have reached this place where you are at home with each other. You have found in each other a soul mate, a kindred spirit, a companion for life. You are two separate people, but you are also one. The mountain does not make the valley less, but more; and the valley is more a valley because it has mountain towering over it. So let it be with each of you. May you need one another, but not out of weakness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you entice one another, but not compel one another. May you embrace one another, but not encircle one another. May you succeed in all-important ways with one another, and not fail in the little graces. May you look for things to praise, often say, ‘I love you!’ and take no notice of small faults. If you have quarrels that push you apart, may both of you hope to have good sense enough take the first step back. May you enter into the mystery which the awareness of one another’s presence – no more physical than spiritual, warm and near when you are side by side, and warm and near when you are in separate rooms, or even distant cities. May you have happiness, and may you find it making one another happy. May you have love, and may you find it loving one another.”