To Learn To Cherish

Dear The One:

I've been reading David A. Bednar's article in the Ensign: "Marriage is Essential to His Eternal Plan"

A line that took me by storm was this:

"As a husband and wife are each drawn to the Lord, as they learn to serve and cherish one another...they begin to realize the fulfillment that our Heavenly Father desires for His children" (Bednar 2006).

What?

This is a whole new paradigm shift on my paradigm shift.

What I'm learning here is that the actions of cherishing one another are skills that this apostle expects to be learned in marriage. Essentially, learning how to cherish someone should be complementary to the process of coming to know who they are.

The capacity of a man to cherish a woman is expected to grow with and alongside the relationship, as it grows, as they mutually seek The Lord.

This makes perfect sense to me. Many relationships begin with infatuation. We become like puppy dogs, loving something because it can be loved. I think the feelings that result in a couple cherishing one another are the ones slower in building. This fire must be made of large logs, not dried grass. This flame can only burn with the strength of endurance, not passion.

What do you think?

Onward and Upward,

Aaron Pennam

P.S.

cher·ish

ˈCHeriSH/

verb

protect and care for (someone) lovingly.

"he cared for me beyond measure and cherished me in his heart"

synonyms:adore, hold dear, love, dote on, be devoted to, revere, esteem, admire; More

hold (something) dear.

"I cherish the letters she wrote"

synonyms:treasure, prize, value highly, hold dear

"I cherish her letters"

keep (a hope or ambition) in one's mind.

"he had long cherished a secret fantasy about his future"

synonyms:harbor, entertain, possess, hold (on to), cling to, keep in one's mind, foster, nurture

"they cherished dreams of glory"