Today’s Scripture
Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth. Proverbs 5:18, ESV
Today’s Devotion
As best we can tell, this story is mostly true. There are three facts that can’t be argued: In the 1870’s, Palisade, Nevada was an important hub for the Central Pacific Railroad. Easterners visited the “Wild West” to catch a glimpse of the wildness. Most western towns were boring, and easterners were disappointed.
Word of their boredom reached Palisade, Nevada, and the community decided give easterners exactly what they were looking for. When the noon train rolled into town, passengers were treated to a shooting. Two local men got in a fight, guns were drawn, and one body was dragged into a nearby saloon. That was only the start. In the days and weeks afterward, the violence increased. There were shootings, robberies, Indian raids. And blood. Lots of blood. Easterners were aghast. They wanted to see the Wild West … but not like this! They retreated to their big cities and told tales of the wickedest town in the west.
What they didn’t know is that it was all a hoax. The real Palisade, Nevada was a quiet town. There was hardly any crime. The shoot outs? Gunfighters used blanks. Indian raids? All for show. Everyone – tribes and townsfolk – got along. And the blood? The town butcher donated leftovers to add to the realism. The only thing wild about Palisade was the people’s imagination. Life in the old west could be tough. The best way to deal with it was to have a good sense of humor and enjoy a little bit of fun.
When was the last time you and your spouse did something fun for your marriage? Proverbs 5:18 tells us to “rejoice in the wife of your youth” (ESV). Marriage can be tough. But God has given you the gift of a spouse – a traveling companion and “partner in crime.” Please don’t rob the next train that rolls by…but make time to lighten up and enjoy life with your spouse. Those fun times you enjoy might one day make for some great stories.
Today’s Prayer
Heavenly Father, remind us to lighten up, laugh, and enjoy time together. Bless our marriage with joy. Amen.
