The Risk and Responsibility of Trust
Whether it's between you and your banker, grocer or doctor, relationships rise and fall on trust. This is true for our marriages and even our relationship with God as well. Trust is the foundation of any relationship.
So why trust and not love? Because it is possible to love someone, live in the same house as them and share the same bed with thembut still not trust them. And without trust, your marriage has no leg to stand on.
The Teacup of Trust
I once heard someone say that trust is like an elegant bone china teacup ‚ beautiful, fragile and the rightful container of a loving relationship.
In a relationship, the giver of trust takes a risk by handing the fragile teacup to the other person, as there is no guarantee that the receiver will handle the trust in a worthy manner. In return the receiver who has been entrusted with the fragile container has the responsibility of making sure that the teacup is carefully handled.
Such is the nature of trust in any relationship: the giver takes a risk while the receiver is responsible to care for the precious teacup and its contents. In a marriage, both parties share the roles of giving trust and receiving responsibility over their relationship.
See-through, Sensitive But Strong
Thomas Frye developed the first version of bone china in 1748. It was not until the late 1790's that Englishman Josiah Spode perfected the formula and process that made bone china what it is today--the favorite chinaware of both Buckingham Palace and the White House.
The reason why fine bone china is the tableware of choice for these fine residences is because of its translucency, fine texture, and whiteness. Despite this, it has one of the highest levels of mechanical strength and chip resistance.
It is the same with trust. Though fine and fragile, it is also strong and chip-resistant because it is made of the right materials. But more than being just a translucent piece of china, trust's strength lies in its transparency.
It is this strength that allows these kinds of tableware to be gold-embossed with the most beautiful and intricate of designs, including the seal of the Queen of England and the President of the United States. The more trust a relationship has, the greater the value and beauty it will contain.
How to turn the one lesson into reality
Answer the following:
What did you discover from this article?
Which of these discoveries do you desire to see in your marriage? Why?
What decisions will you be making in order for these desires to become reality?
Discipline: Draw a picture of a teacup or write it in your bathroom mirror or on your refrigerator door.
Pray this everyday:
"Lord, help me to trust my spouse today as I trust you. I pray that as I step out in faith and give her/him my trust, he/she will take full responsibility to care for this trust.
I pray that as my wife/husband gives me her/his trust, I will also take full responsibility in caring for that trust. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.-
More on trust next week.
Read related articles:
The One Lesson That Changed My Marriage
How to Turn the One Lesson Into Reality
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