“His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely.This is my beloved, this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem”—(Song of Solomon 5:16, NIV).

His design for marriage does not lack. It is perfection.  Protection, provision, nurturing, compassion, friendship—the very elements of love—bound in the covenant of physical connection not meant to be found in any other relationship on earth.  How often do we distort this design?  It is easy to find these individual pieces elsewhere, but our hearts will still yearn for them to be whole in our mate.  None are expendable, but we often behave as if friendship is the one that we can forgo as long as all others are present. Our friendships become a function of our individual selves—experienced outside marriage.  But isn’t it then that we realize that nothing makes a marriage lonelier than when friendship is absent?  Friendship is where real intimacy is experienced—shared history, shared hurts, shared hopes.  When friendship completes the puzzle, the gift of our marriage feels exponentially abundant!

Lord, today let me look at my partner with eyes that desire and hands and feet that actively cultivate a deep and connected friendship.  Let me hold it above all others and always know my mate as Your beloved creation and my beloved friend.  

Written by Sonia Cleverly