Have you ever had to clean out a chicken coop? Well it’s not fun! But in years gone by, that was the price we had to pay for eggs. On a more desirable note, think about the blessing of children–we raised eight. They are a parents greatest joy, and yet the source of many problems. Or how about marriage.You love your spouse more than any person on earth, but you encounter more conflicts with the one you love most more than any other– it’s the price you pay for being in such a wonderful relationship. If you want to escape conflict move into a cave somewhere, isolate yourself from the rest of the world– but you will lose the reward that can only be had through relationships. Perhaps this short message by Paul Chappell will help you put things in their proper perspective:
“According to Greek mythology, a sculptor named Pygmalion created an ivory statue of a woman who was so perfect and beautiful that he fell in love with her. In his mind, no living woman could compare to the statue he had crafted. Finally Venus, the goddess of love, brought the statue to life so that Pygmalion could marry the love of his life. Of course we know there is no truth to that ancient fable, yet at the same time it demonstrates a principle that underlies a serious problem in many relationships.
Our society promotes a view of romance that is destructive. Worldly advice is that we should find a perfect person and love them. Yet such an effort is doomed to failure before it starts. If we can only love perfect people, we can never love at all. Instead of fruitlessly seeking perfection, we need to adjust our focus. In every human relationship there are problems. Solomon uses the example of cleaning a stable where an ox is kept to show how we should deal with these problems. If you don’t have any oxen, you don’t have to clean up after them, but pulling a plow yourself isn’t much fun and it isn’t very productive.
Each of us has the ability to choose where we place our focus. Are we spending all of our time looking at the problems of the other person, or are we instead focused on the blessings and productivity that they bring to our lives? Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. said, “Behind every tragedy in character lies a long process of wicked thinking.” As you make sure that your thoughts about those you love are focused on the good things about them, your love will grow stronger and stronger.—Instead of focusing on the problems that are part of every life, focus on the great things that would not be possible without those you love.”
