December 20
Loyalty and Dear Friends
Keep me close to your heart … like the ring on your finger.
Song of Solomon 8:6 (NIRV)
I have a great word to share today: loyalty. Guys, it’s a central need and a key ingredient in our gals’ hearts. And sometimes a ring on our finger says so much more to the woman in our life than words can ever express. It says volumes to others as well.
I remember when I worked diplomatic clearances far from home in lovely Saudi Arabia. In that environment, not many men wore rings, or at least GOLD wedding bands which were considered ostentatious and worldly. Gold was a great commodity to sell, not wear, and a wedding ring, well, it just didn’t fit the culture.
Since some of the men I negotiated with had more than one wife, the topic of being a one-woman man occasionally surfaced. I remember one conversation in particular.
“You look sad. You seem … how do you say it? Lonely?” Talal leaned forward, a concerned look on his face.
“Yes. I guess I am lonely. I miss my wife very much.” I stared at the stack of paper on his desk.
It was true. I confess I have been head over heels more than once in my life, but this one stuck—for good! I was rediscovering once again that absence does make the heart grow fonder.
“You need a woman I think.” His eyes probed my own.
“I have a woman, thank you.” I said the words unconsciously as I twisted the ring on my finger.
“Yes, but….”
I looked up.
“No compromise, Talal. I’m loyal to my wife … and my friends.”
He tightened his lips and nodded then settled back into his chair ... only mildly rebuffed. I may have lost points with the Saudis that day ... or maybe not, but Talal seemed to understand. Certainly, he appreciated the deep Arab loyalties of friends, families and tribes.
It’s a universal truth. Loyalty is important to both friendships and marriages, but it's our marriages that need to hold our deepest friendships.
Oh, Father! Keep us close to our friends. Amen.
Loyalty and Dear Friends
Keep me close to your heart … like the ring on your finger.
Song of Solomon 8:6 (NIRV)
I have a great word to share today: loyalty. Guys, it’s a central need and a key ingredient in our gals’ hearts. And sometimes a ring on our finger says so much more to the woman in our life than words can ever express. It says volumes to others as well.
I remember when I worked diplomatic clearances far from home in lovely Saudi Arabia. In that environment, not many men wore rings, or at least GOLD wedding bands which were considered ostentatious and worldly. Gold was a great commodity to sell, not wear, and a wedding ring, well, it just didn’t fit the culture.
Since some of the men I negotiated with had more than one wife, the topic of being a one-woman man occasionally surfaced. I remember one conversation in particular.
“You look sad. You seem … how do you say it? Lonely?” Talal leaned forward, a concerned look on his face.
“Yes. I guess I am lonely. I miss my wife very much.” I stared at the stack of paper on his desk.
It was true. I confess I have been head over heels more than once in my life, but this one stuck—for good! I was rediscovering once again that absence does make the heart grow fonder.
“You need a woman I think.” His eyes probed my own.
“I have a woman, thank you.” I said the words unconsciously as I twisted the ring on my finger.
“Yes, but….”
I looked up.
“No compromise, Talal. I’m loyal to my wife … and my friends.”
He tightened his lips and nodded then settled back into his chair ... only mildly rebuffed. I may have lost points with the Saudis that day ... or maybe not, but Talal seemed to understand. Certainly, he appreciated the deep Arab loyalties of friends, families and tribes.
It’s a universal truth. Loyalty is important to both friendships and marriages, but it's our marriages that need to hold our deepest friendships.
Oh, Father! Keep us close to our friends. Amen.
posted by Craig Soderquist at 6:32 AM
