Relationships that count

It was an important day for me today and I am truly grateful for the people whose support and love mean the most to me.

First and foremost is that of my husband, Harvey.  He has demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would go to any length for me.  Not that I would expect anything most outrageous... if anything, I try to be undemanding and patient.  I love him for who he is - an intelligent, caring and charming person - not for anything that he would have to "prove" to me.  Our relationship doesn't need proving.  However, if it did, then today would have been a very good yardstick.  We have made the commitment, before God, angels and earthly witnesses, that we are pledged to one another into eternity.   Certainly 25 years is notable.  Eternity is another whole matter.

So the thought crossed my mind ... does this all make sense?  Do we really know that once we die, we go someplace else and the rituals and covenants that we call ourselves making do any good at all?  Are they really "in effect" once we die?  So this could be an exercise in futility and once we're in the ground, that's it.  That is certainly a possibility.

However, what if it isn't?  What if all of this is a fact and certainty?  Whether it is or not, what is the harm in living a morally clean and virtuous (to the best of our ability) life?  So we do a little good for others ... so we love, cherish and honor our spouse and our marital vows... so we respect and honor those who are called to serve in positions of authority ... so we are willing to give of everything that God has given us (we didn't do it on our own and the government certainly didn't split one cell that led to our creation) to the cause of good and virtuous principles.  What have we got to lose? 

If our relationship with God is solid and our relationship with our spouse is also founded on love, mutual respect and righteous living, then it really doesn't matter if it ends tomorrow or never ends.  Any period of time - whether reckoned by man or deity - is better spent when you have love for God, yourself and your fellow beings.