Our generation today has become overindulged in relationships that pleasure our emotions and make us focus on the opposite sex instead on focusing on our relationship with God. Young men like myself have viewed marriage as something of an all-joy lifetime vacation with the woman we love. But is it really? An excerpt from Joshua Harris’ book written by Lena Lathrop made me think if I REALLY consider a woman’s heart when I pursue her love. I just wanted to share this with you in hopes of changing the way you look at the opposite sex(if you are a man) or the way you look at yourself(if you are a woman)
“A Woman’s Question” by Lena Lathrop – taken from Joshua Harris’ book “I Kissed Dating Goodbye”
Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the Hand above?
A woman’s heart, and a woman’s life –
And a woman’s wonderful love.
Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy?
Demanding what others have died to win,
With the reckless dash of a boy.
You have written my lesson of duty out,
Manlike, you have questioned me.
Now stand at the bars of my woman’s soul
Until I shall question thee.
You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart be true as God’s stars
And as pure as His heaven your soul.
You require a cook for your mutton and beef,
I require a far greater thing;
A seamstress you’re wanting for socks and shirts –
I look for a man and a king.
A king for the beautiful realm called Home,
And a man that His Maker, God,
Shall look upon as He did on the first
And say: “It is very good.”
I am fair and young, but the rose may fade
From this soft young cheek one day;
Will you love me then ‘mid the falling leaves,
As you did ‘mong the blossoms of May?
Is your heart an ocean so strong and true,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.
I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give this all, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.
If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook
You can hire and little to pay;
But a woman’s heart and a woman’s life
Are not to be won that way.
Isn’t it a wonder how we take a woman’s heart for granted? We cannot blame the media or the trends and cultures because they won’t take the consequences of our actions and our decisions in life. In the end, our decisions fall on ourselves. Pursue a woman if you’re ready to marry her and don’t overlook marriage as simply sex and love and pleasure. It is a lifetime commitment and service on both your parts. Emotions will fade, our bodies will grow old and weary but your marriage will be held fast by God. Think about it.
