Bumps And Bruises!

November 12, 2020

Bumps And Bruises!

It’s my wedding anniversary today; we have been married for 37 years!

On the one hand, it does not seem like it could be that many years.  But when I begin to collect all the memories, they quickly add up to fill most of my life. 

I am thankful Jesus brought my wife, Cindy, into my life.  She is one of the most devoted prayer warriors I have ever met and trusts Jesus will do what He promises.  She is up early every morning to have a lengthy conversation with Jesus, read her Bible, and make her way through the writings of some of her favorite authors.

She is also a great life-partner.  We have a complementary faith, similar interests, and harmonious dreams.  Like me, she is laser-beam focused, extraordinarily determined, and an incredibly hard worker.  We are a great team that accomplishes a great deal.

I enjoy sharing my life and my love with my wife.  Well…most of the time!  Like everyone else, we have had some bumps and bruises along the way. 

There was the season when both of us were in school and working full time jobs.  We did not give enough attention to our relationship with one another.  Bumps and bruises!

There was the season when both of us were physically and emotionally exhausted from taking care of twin babies who would not sleep.  We had nothing left to give to one another.  Bumps and bruises! 

And there have been the seasons when I allowed my work to take too much of me.  We did not stay deeply connected with one another.  Bumps and bruises!

Yes, there have been some bumps and bruises along the way.  But, we have not given in or given up on one another.  I am grateful that we have worked hard, asked for help, and relied on Jesus to keep our marriage healthy and whole.

Marriage does not work that way for everyone.  I know that all too well; there is more than a little divorce in my family!  And yet, it is important to celebrate marriage when it is good and pray for marriage when there are bumps and bruises. 

Too often, it seems that we have let marriage slid into something that is too casual and too caustic.  There is a better way.  In Hebrews 13:4 we hear; “Let marriage be held in honor by all…” 

We are called to honor marriage whether we are married, hope to be married, or are not married.  Just as the bride of Christ, the Church, is called to honor the groom, Christ, so we are called to honor our spouse.  A high respect, a deep love, and a quick listening ear bring honor to every relationship, especially marriage.

In James 1:19 we hear; “You must understand this, my beloved:  let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger…”  I love my wife, but I am not always quick to listen.  I cherish my wife, but I am not always slow to speak.  I adore my wife, but I am not always slow to anger.  When I don’t do these three things I too easily hurt my wife and injure our marriage.  Bumps and bruises! 

I imagine you have a friend who is struggling with a stressed or strained relationship right now.  It may be a relationship at work, with a friend, or even with a marriage partner.  I invite you to visit with and pray for your friend this week. 

Be the kind of friend that will walk with them through the bumps and bruises.  When you do, you will both experience the kind of blessings from Jesus that invite you to take delight in the Lord.

Delight In The Lord!

Doug