"For you have the poor with you always and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always." (Mark 14:7}

In the context of this passage, Jesus was preparing His disciples for the rapidly approaching time when He would leave them. He understood their dependence on Him and wanted them to begin the transition to life without His physical presence. However, He did promise that, after His death, He would return to comfort them. He also promised that, after His ascension back to His Father, He would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit (John 14:16). Because He loved them, Jesus made all these necessary preparations for them.

I want to use this text to help bring to light another subject to which we need to give careful attention. This life can keep us so busy that we often take for granted some of the very special gifts our Father gives us. Possibly, one area where this is most-true is the marriage relationship between husbands and wives. Our busy lives can sometimes cause us to not take the proper care, or show the love that these relationships require if they are to be fulfilling and healthy.

The apostle Paul reminded the Ephesian Christians that marriage is the physical counterpart of the spiritual relationship between Christ and the church. The world may do its best to convince us there is nothing good about marriage, but let us not forget that it was God who designed this very important relationship. "And the LORD God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." (Genesis 2:18}

The husband is responsible for providing for his family, but nowhere has God instructed him to do so at his wife's expense. Husbands, are you more married to your jobs than to your wives? When did you last sit down to dinner with your family? Or when have you and your wife gone out to dinner--just the two of you? What did you do on your anniversary or for her birthday? When did you last set aside some special time for your mate, or tell her of the love you have for her? Sadly, for many couples, it has been much too long.

Frankly, I'm afraid that many of us may learn too late, just how much we value our mates. How can our relationships grow, and our love and understanding mature, when we spend so little time nurturing, caring for, and developing it?

Death is coming (Hebrews 9:27). We never know when or why. One day, the Lord will come, and that day also is unknown to us. Let us not take one another for granted. Life is too short, love too precious, death too final, and second chances too rare. Love your mates and thank God for them every day. Don't wait until you stand over your mate's grave to tell her of your love and give her the flowers she would have appreciated when she was alive. She can't smell and see them then, or hear your words of tender affection! Someone once said we don't appreciate things until we no longer have them. Unfortunately, some husbands (and wives) have learned this lesson a little too late! What think ye?