Last weekend I went with a team of men who are finishing our
men of purpose program to climb Mount Longonot. It was ten years since I last dared
this and I must say it was very challenging. My muscles are still recovering
from the effects of that. What a joy it was seeing all of us plus the other
groups who were out there accomplish this feat. There were shouts of joy, sighs
of relieve and most of all a deep sense of accomplishment.
Looking back at that experience, I learned several valuable
lessons that apply to our marriage relationship. First, just like climbing
Mount Longonot, the marriage relationship is a very challenging one. Several
times on my way up I was tempted to give up especially climbing those very
steep terrains but I’m glad I didn’t. How many couples have given up on their
relationship just because of a rough patch when if only they endured it would
have propelled them to the next level of their relationship?
Secondly, I realized how important the support of others is. If I was alone I would have probably given up halfway. But because of the others support, I made. In marriage as husband and wife, we need each others support. We should be each others number one cheer leader offering them all the support they need especially in those difficult moments.
Finally, we need to slow down for the sake of the slower one. Someone has aptly put it that if you walk alone, you will walk fast, but if you walk with others you will walk far. And far I walked as I scaled the mountain as I slowed down for others. We can only go far in our relationship if we will be patient enough with each other slowing down for their sake.
