Marriage is on my mind. This morning, I'm wondering why some marriages just don't last. I'm not saying that I think all marriages are ending because of adultery... That should be the only reason why marriages don't last. I'm not trying to get any information about any particular relationships, because frankly, it's not my business. But it would be a shame if people just felt like they "fell out of love." As I've stated in a previous entry, I don't think marriage should be taken lightly. It's a life-long contract between a man and a woman that signifies their never-ending love for each other. Life-long, never-ending contract... a covenant.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that if you want out, you need to go cheat on your spouse. Don't do that! That merits counsel. But maybe courting needs to be reintroduced to couples considering marriage. Maybe all couples should consider premarital counseling. It certainly is an eye-opener.
Marriages shouldn't be like dating for adults. It's not something that you agree to to have sex, then, when the sex gets old, you get a divorce. It's not something that you end after 3 years because the newness wears off. It's not something that you threaten to end because you get in an argument and are never able to see eye-to-eye. Marriage isn't a feeling. Marriage isn't just living together. Marriage is sacred.
Marriage is a puzzle. Sometimes we see the picture on the box. Sometimes we think we can put the puzzle together without the guide. Sometimes we get the frame or outer edge of it, but we're completely lost without assistance. We don't know where the pieces go. Marriage is so like that. We need help after a little while. Someone may be able to give you a pair of fresh eyes to look at something and then, you see things in ways you didn't know you could before. Let's say that marriage is the puzzle you purchase from Big Name Store that has a strict return policy. You open the box and assemble all of the puzzle except for one piece... it's missing... It can't be returned because the box is open. Does that mean the puzzle is worthless? Heck no!!! It's beautiful and it paints the picture of what our marriages are. They're missing something. Most of the time, it's God. Some of the time, it's communication. And sometimes, it's love (unfortunately) or affection.
I urge you, please take time to analyze your marriage or relationship and see if there's a piece missing. Don't just try to return it to the store if one piece is missing. Try to see the beauty of the puzzle and figure out what's missing in the midst.
God doesn't throw anything away. We shouldn't either. Especially our marriages. Sometimes, it's not the right time. Sometimes, it's not the right person. And sometimes still, just not the right reasons. God can make beautiful what we've made ugly. He can transform our incomplete puzzles into beautiful tapestries.
Please don't try to do it on your own. Ask for help. Even if you don't know the words to say, God knows the words in your heart. All you have to do is ask for help.
