And they call us hypocrites.....

I have no idea how I will bring this idea for a post around to CFS but let's see if it can't be done!

I actually spent time in a shopping mall by myself a couple of weeks back. I had a limited time but no children who needed my attention. So I spent a bit of time "just browsing" in shop windows as I ticked off my "to do" list.

Two windows stood out. I was so shocked by what I saw & read that I didn't take in the name of either shop so I can't name & shame them. Both dress shops. However, I remember their advertising a little too clearly.

The first targeted teens, early 20's and fashion victims in general. Filling one floor to ceiling window was the picture of a 14 - 15 year old girl. Wearing more accessories than dress, her make up & posture conveying naive but unmistakable intent, she was accompanied by the slogan 'Meet me behind the bike shed.'

The second targeted 20 - 30 somethings, so the clothing had generally more surface area. A large, half window, photograph showed smiling 20 somethings, 3 females & 3 males of the attractive variety, in politically correct hair & skin colours, laying intertwined on a bed. The slogan read "Love more than one".

Now, it may be just me but, isn't there something slightly hypocritical about a society that allows advertising like this in its malls and then turns around & sacks a soccer player for underage sex one week and an ex- footballer loses his television career the next week because he 'loved more than one' 7 years ago? The media claims they should have known better & they can't be our role models. But where, I ask, are they meant to get these high standards from? It is definitely not from the mall.

Personally, I suggest that the footballers & soccer players, the teenagers, 20somethings & 30somethings, the advertising companies, the dress shops & the mall owners would all profit from reading Proverbs 5 before they follow the advice of the dress shop windows. Then they may be saved from ever having to admit "I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly."

I guess for all CFS sufferers & spouses Proverbs 5 is good reading. Working out your sex life to honour your marriage partner (present or future) and to honour the Lord is vital in any one's life so that the devil will not get a foothold.

For many, living with CFS, "Not tonight dear, I've got a headache" - can be a painful truism. I don't have all the answers for couples. But I recommend prayer Phil 4:6 and making your spouse a priority 1 Cor 7:2-4 while at the same time adjusting your expectations to suit your situation, less T.V, more bible, taking advantage of good days & good hours to work on your marriage in this way & working on improving your health & your godliness so you can serve your spouse in this way.