[Wisdom of Solomon] Protecting Your MarriageSýnishorn

Don’t Share Drinks With Toddlers

Have you ever shared a drink with a toddler? Somehow, they magically give you more than just your drink back when they're done. For those who haven’t experienced this, they give you what some call “floaties.” What was once delicious sweet tea is now sweet tea with a hint of waffle fries and chicken nuggets. What was once pure is now tainted.

When you got married, everything was perfect. It was the honeymoon stage. Little frustrations disappeared. You enjoyed every minute of each other. You didn’t mind the bad morning breath. You hung up the towel on the ground and didn’t skip a beat. Why? Because it was pure. Until one day, that towel was the last straw. The little frustrations turned into significant fights. What caused this? Little things came in and tainted the marriage. You used to overlook something, but now we don't.

Our marriage covenant turned into a marriage contract. It now looks like, “If you do this, I’ll do that.” If you take out the trash, then I’ll do the dishes. If you make the bed, I’ll mow the lawn. We never intended it to get like this, but little things have crept in and caused us to get our eyes off Jesus and onto ourselves.

But this isn’t what God the Son intended. He tells husbands to love their wives the way He loves His church. What did He do for His church? He died for it. God says, “I’ll always love you, even if you never do your part.” God isn't petty like us.

What must we do? We must keep our eyes on Jesus instead of focusing on ourselves. By His grace and example, we must not allow towels or petty frustrations to keep our marriage from being all that God wants it to be. We must love our husband, or our wife, even when he or she does not deserve it. We forgive, even when it hurts. Because we, too, have been loved and forgiven when we didn’t deserve it. God pursues us even when we don’t live for Him. How much more should we pursue our spouses, even when we feel it’s not fair?

Thought for today: How can I love my spouse better, even though it might cost me? Take some time to think about how Christ loved and forgave you so you can love and forgive like Him.