Better Together: What’s Your Opinion?

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 
For if either falls, his companion can lift him up;
but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.

(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

TOGETHER

The #FiveMinuteFriday word for today is together. When I think about getting together with friends or family I am glad to know that love holds us together. There are so many differing views these days that it can be hard to find unity even within families. But as the Ecclesiastes passage shows us, we are still better together than alone. Whether we agree or disagree theologically, politically, socially, or in any other way. is beside the point. We were made for community and we need each other.

As I was contemplating what I could write about the word, together, a poem began taking shape in my mind. So, I looked at the time, made a mental note of when five minutes would be up and began to write. This is the result:

BETTER TOGETHER?

Better together
Even when we disagree?
Especially then

But what if we fight?
We can hear each other out
Always let love win

I don’t understand
What if we’re on different sides?
That shouldn’t matter

Then what does matter?
To love without conditions
Seek truth together

But won’t that be hard?
Yes, it surely will be hard
But we won’t give up

THROUGH THE YEARS

My husband and I have been together for a long time. In fact, our 48th anniversary is coming up on September 14. Sometimes it seems like it has been a very long time. Other times it seems like just a short time. We have certainly been through a lot together, and times have not always been easy. Yet, we are blessed even in the hard times.

We have raised 7 kids, and we have 14 beautiful grandchildren. It’s been a long time since we’ve all been together at once, but we do keep in touch. Some we see more than other, but we love them all very much. We may not see eye to eye on everything, but our love is strong and love always wins.

better together

What has kept us together all these years? Well, of course we love each other, but it’s more than that. Before we married, we both agreed that we would try to put God first in our marriage. With God’s help we have worked through problems and are continuing to grow in our relationship. The Bible is our guidebook, but it’s not just any old book. It is the Word of God, living and powerful, and we could not do without it in our lives.

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword,
penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow.
It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
(Hebrews 4:12)

better together
A picture from our wedding

(I wrote the poem in five minutes, but the rest I added later).

I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #InspireMeMonday

20 thoughts on “Better Together: What’s Your Opinion?

  1. Happy 48th Anniversary, soon! Your thoughts are so good here. Your poem is so beautiful! God surely has planted His love and truth in your heart, to bring such precious words in only 5 minutes! Thank you for sharing with us today. Love & hugs dear sister!

    1. Thank you, dear Bettie. When I wrote the poem I had a bigger picture in mind than a marriage. It was to include all of us together, because of so many differences in how people believe today. I think the best way to bring people together is to listen and to live out the truth of God’s Word. May He give us strength to do so. Blessings, love and hugs to you, my dear sister! xoxo

  2. Bravo, Gayl!

    We’re not meant to be alone;
    life’s race runs way too far,
    we dash a foot against a stone
    and fall, and there we are,
    flat and hurting on the ground
    in a strange forbidding land,
    hoping someone will come ’round
    to give a helping hand.
    But that is really in our care,
    born of how we chose to live;
    if truly we want someone there
    we have to humbly give
    away desire to be apart,
    and the key to our own heart.

    1. Thank you, Andrew. And I love how you always comment with a poem! Great job! Sending love and blessings to you and Barb and your furry companions!

    2. Stopping by from IMM#17.

      Apparently I forgot to comment from FMF.

      Keeping God at the center of any relationship (especially a marriage) is vital if we want a healthy relationship.

      With non-believers we can show the love of Christ in how we treat them. A “silent” witness can sometimes be the strongest.

      1. Yes, keeping God at the center is always the best way. And you’re right that a silent witness can sometimes be the strongest. Blessings to you, Barb!

  3. Beautiful poem, and good thoughts on working together so that love wins. It’s hard work sometimes, but worth it. Happy Anniversary!
    Visiting from FMF#23

  4. YES, Gayl❗I totally agree with you❗My family does not always agree either. We agree to disagree because being a family and loving each other is so important❗My husband and I have been through a lot too. We will celebrate our 45th anniversary on September 16th❗He is a cancer survivor I am so very thankful for my sweet husband ❗It’s so cool that our anniversary is so close to yours😊❗ May God bless you and Steve with many more happy years to come🥰❤️🙏❗

    1. Yes, love is so important in a family and for everyone. That’s cool our anniversaries are so close. 🙂 Happy Anniversary to you and Monty, too! God bless!

  5. I enjoyed your poem–we do need love to guide us through our disagreements. God’s word and the example of Jesus is our guide.

  6. Happy Anniversary to you both! Beautiful post and photos! We are married 43 years. There have been ups and downs, joys and sorrows and looking back, it was all worth the journey! Blessings!

    1. Thank you, Joanne, and congratulations to you both on 43 years together. Yes, it’s a combination of joy, sorrow, ups and downs, but like you said – it’s worth it. Blessings to you!

  7. Putting God first in all of it and any of it will keep it all together that needs to be kept together. As you said in your poem, even when it’s tricky, as it so often is. Thank you. And congratulations on 48 years! Wow. And what a large family! Such a blessing. #32

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