A Polar Bear

The following is a devotional I read this morning. It was written by Mrs. Glorianne Gibbs, so I cannot take any credit for it. Nevertheless, it spoke to me and I felt it is something many wives should remember. Especially, me.

At my wedding shower, my husband's great-aunt gave us a beautifully wrapped box that she said was very fragile. When I opened it, it was a figurine of a bear! On a card with the present she had written this:
"The secret to a happy marriage is to bear and forbear--so let this polar bear be your constant reminder."
In marriage, as in every relationship, to bear each other's burdens and to forbear each other's shortcomings is a main component to a happy, well-adjusted relationship.
God wants us to be quick to forgive, eager to encourage, and always ready to help with the other's burdens. Although it requires both parties of a relationship to follow these guidelines for complete success, if you are the only one "endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," then you must also be doing it "with all lowliness and meekness,"and "with longsuffering," for it to be truly effective.
Many husbands have been won to Christ through the diligent and sweet forbearance of their wives. Many parents, sisters, brothers, cousins and others can be won to Christ by your sweet forbearance.
In marriage, there are things that come up that irritate us, disappoint us, and anger us at times. It is during such times that we should remember to bear and forbear. Love requires a show of kindness in spite of the the things we don't always like.
The next time you see a 'teddy bear' of bear figurine, think about this!