Moments with Meryl
by Meryl Langley

I had been waiting since Feb for the showing of the film, "One Fine Day," starring George Clooney. For some reason its release had been delayed, so I was delighted to see the movie was coming to our local cinema. Since Jon and Jo were out on Saturday evening, Jim and I decided to eat out first and then go and see "the film."

I thoroughly enjoyed it–a real romantic comedy, and of course George Clooney stole the show. On the way home, I was thinking, "Isn’t it sad that so many people think that having the ‘perfect’ partner will make everything okay and life will be wonderful?" I admit those type of relationships do FEEL wonderful for a SHORT while, but then, what? Like Scott Peck, the eminent psychologist, says that those feelings only last for about two years-five years, maximum. I remember when I got married thinking that somehow I would now be complete and fulfilled. It didn’t take long to become disillusioned!

Since becoming a Christian and especially since knowing I am Christ in Meryl form, I have now come to see that I am complete and entire, lacking nothing (fulfilled) because I contain Jesus Christ, even though at times I may FEEL incomplete and lacking everything. It is Satan’s lie that I (independent Meryl) need the comfort of someone to make me feel better; I am free to live spontaneously from who I really am (Jesus Christ in Meryl form), and am not dependent on any human relationship. I am learning that real love (God’s agape love) is a selfless concern for the welfare of others. It is not called forth by any quality of lovableness in the person loved, but is the product of a will to love in obedience to God’s command. Isn’t that the highest ideal? And, of course, that can only be lived out by Jesus Christ through my vessel as I make right choices. This is how my needs are met: by meeting the needs of others. Amazing!

These were my thoughts as we traveled home, and I was so grateful that I no longer need to look to my husband to meet my needs. Indeed, I can see that our aim is to see how we can best serve God together, knowing that we are both vessels through whom Jesus Christ is living out His life.