Topic(s): Forgiveness, Marriage, Widsom

Want the key to a lasting marriage? Try apologizing to your spouse! A study of 7,950 Americans conducted by pollsters Zogby for ThePearlOutlet.com found that having a willingness to apologize strengthens a couple’s bond.

“The secret of a lasting marriage is being prepared to accept that the other person has an equally valid viewpoint and being willing to apologize because you love them and want them to be happy,” says Andrea Marshall, a marital therapist and author.

Married folks are also far more likely than singles to apologize first when they feel they’re just partly to blame for an argument. Why? People who are dating often believe if a relationship isn’t perfect you should just move on, but those in a marriage have realized the perfect relationship doesn’t happen overnight. —Marriage Partnership

“Go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.” —Proverbs 6:3

The Perfect Man

Topic(s): Humor

A panel of women debated on what they thought was a perfect man. You would have thought they would have decided upon some actor or athlete or even a wealthy tycoon. They decided that the perfect man was Mr. Potato Head.

They gave four reasons: He’s tan, he’s cute, he knows the importance of accessorizing, and if he looks at another girl you can rearrange his face. —Guy McGraw

“A merry heart doeth good.” —Proverbs 17:22

The Best Gift

Topic(s): Family, Father, Priorities

A man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his five-year-old son waiting for him at the door. “Daddy, may I ask you a question?”

“Yeah, sure. What is it?” replied the father.

“Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?”

“That’s none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?” the father said angrily.

“I just wanted to know. Please tell me. How much do you make an hour?” pleaded the little boy.

“If you must know, I make $20 an hour.”

Looking up, the boy said, “Daddy, may I borrow $9 please?”

The father was furious. “If the only reason you wanted to know how much money I make is just so you can borrow some, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you’re being selfish. I work long, hard hours every day, and don’t have time for such childish games.”

The boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The father sat down and got madder about his son’s questioning. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money! After an hour, he calmed down and started to think he might have been a too hard on his son. Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $9. He didn’t ask for money often.

The father went to his son’s room and opened the door. “Are you asleep, son?” he asked.

“No, Daddy, I’m awake,” replied the boy.

“I’ve been thinking. Maybe I was too hard on you earlier,” said the father. “It’s been a long day, and I took my aggravations out on you. Here’s the $9 you asked for.”

The boy sat up straight, beaming. “Oh, thank you, Daddy!” he said.

Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some crumpled bills. He counted the money and then looked up at his father.

“Why did you want more money if you already had some?” the father asked.

“Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,” the little boy replied. “Daddy, I have $20 now! Can I buy an hour of your time?”

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “The only gift is a portion of thyself.” —Author Unknown, quoted by David Sargent, Mobile, Alabama in Living Water

“Redeeming the time . . .” —Ephesians 5:16

Communication Is Key

Topic(s): Humor

A woman went to court and told the judge she wanted a divorce. “Do you have any grounds!” the judge asked.

“Just two acres,” she said.

“That’s not it, lady. I mean do you have a grudge!”

“No, we park the car in front of the house.”

The judge was frustrated: “Does your husband beat you up!”

She replied. “No, I get up before he does.”

“Then why do you want a divorce?” the judge asked.

“Because,” she confessed, “we just don’t seem to be able to communicate.”