Growing Apart
One of the saddest situations I have to handle is talking to married couples who have grown apart since they were married. The first thing I tell them is that it tends to happen to everyone. However, it does not have to happen. That is what makes it so sad.
God joins each man and woman together at marriage. It is His will for them to grow together as long as they live. In order to do this to the maximum effectiveness both the husband and the wife must first be growing closer to the Lord. In this way they will grow in their capacity to love. Then, they are equipped to grow closer to each other for many years.
The basic reason people grow apart is the lack of genuine communication. Many married couples never take time to express their feelings, their values, and their fears. Unless two people talk about those things, they will not grow together, because those are the things that bind people together. Then, when they share those things they must not be rejected by their spouse. If anything is said or done to express rejection of these important issues, it becomes harder and harder to share them. Why? The reason is that it hurts too much to be rejected. Therefore, people quit talking. In unity they must quietly listen to each other, and show genuine concern for the other person, even if they disagree on some things.
I pray that all of us who are married will take whatever steps are necessary to grow together, instead of growing apart.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel1-3 and Luke 8:26-56.
God joins each man and woman together at marriage. It is His will for them to grow together as long as they live. In order to do this to the maximum effectiveness both the husband and the wife must first be growing closer to the Lord. In this way they will grow in their capacity to love. Then, they are equipped to grow closer to each other for many years.
The basic reason people grow apart is the lack of genuine communication. Many married couples never take time to express their feelings, their values, and their fears. Unless two people talk about those things, they will not grow together, because those are the things that bind people together. Then, when they share those things they must not be rejected by their spouse. If anything is said or done to express rejection of these important issues, it becomes harder and harder to share them. Why? The reason is that it hurts too much to be rejected. Therefore, people quit talking. In unity they must quietly listen to each other, and show genuine concern for the other person, even if they disagree on some things.
I pray that all of us who are married will take whatever steps are necessary to grow together, instead of growing apart.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel1-3 and Luke 8:26-56.