Some years ago while driving out in the countryside not far from where Larry and I lived at the time, I rounded a bend in the road and spotted the framework of a large home situated among huge hardwood trees on the banks of a narrow creek. The setting was absolutely beautiful and it was obvious that the home was going to be equally stunning.
But there was a problem: the framework was weathered and leaves and debris were piled in and around the structure. It was obvious that work on this project had been stopped for some time.
Curious, I stopped at the first small store I spotted a few miles down the road. Inside, I asked the man behind the counter if he knew anything about the house I’d just seen.
“That’s the Drayton place,” he said. “Their boy inherited the property when his folks passed and he started building that big ol’ mansion not long after. Ran out of money, though, and couldn’t beg or borrow enough to get it finished. Several folks I know of offered to buy it from him as is, but he said he’d rather see it rot to the ground than see somebody else in his dream house.”
And rot it did. The next time I passed the location of the “dream house,” it was nearly impossible to make out that manmade speck on the environment. Vines, bushes, saplings and a huge fallen oak tree almost obliterated the whole thing. Whatever remained of “that big ol’ mansion” wasn’t salvageable.
“…Don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills?” (Jesus speaking, Luke 14:28, NLT).
We make a lot of commitments without thinking them through. Marriage particularly stands out when I think of commitments. Does God forgive divorce? Absolutely. Is He pleased by divorce? Most assuredly, no.
Time and again I hear something like, “Our marriage ended a long time ago.” Or “we’re just not in love anymore.” Puh-leeeeeeze! You’re not “in love” with your job, either; but you’re not quitting it, are you?
Your marriage ain’t over until life is over. Your commitment isn’t over until life is over. No, your marriage isn’t perfect – show me one that is – but it’s YOUR marriage. As much as it depends on you, stay in it. No, don’t tolerate abuse; but don’t make excuses for window-shopping or breaking your vows. “For better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; ‘til death do you part.” I think that about covers it.
“In every marriage more than a week old, there are grounds for divorce. The trick is to find, and continue to find, grounds for marriage.” (Robert Anderson)
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