Marriage Warfare

I'm disappointed, and admittedly, angry, confused and saddened. I have few answers to my complicated questions: How does love turn to hate? How does commitment and long-suffering suddenly become replaced with infidelity, betrayal and divorce? Marriage has become such a trivial joke that I fear the next generation won't have a clue what it's really about. Or perhaps it will become obsolete altogether; I mean after all, what is the point of taking vows to love and cherish when the majority only mean unless things get tough...then I'm outta here!

For the past few months I've been shocked. More and more married couples with young children are splitting up. Lately, it's been stories about the cheating husband with the live-in nanny (that doesn't even speak English), or the one who runs off to the Caribbean with his new girlfriend, all of whom leave their wives and children behind to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. It's not always the husband, since apparently, the latest trend is housewives suddenly deciding they are gay and leaving their families for Susie down the street. And each time, my heart breaks. Surely they know what statistics say about children of divorce. Surely, they realize how selfish, callous and cruel their actions are. Surely, it keeps them up at night.

But more importantly, where is the outrage? Other than a befuddled shake of the head and a good gossip session, there doesn't seem to be any. Another broken family; what else is new? Yawn.

Now, with every tabloid and entertainment show announcing the pending divorce of Jon and Kate (plus 8), I'm disgusted. I've followed the show for years and even read Kate's book. I loved the Christian values and dependency on God they seemed to have. Yes, Kate could be controlling and bitchy at times; yes, Jon could be a clueless doormat at times, but that was okay because they were in it for the long haul. For better or worse. After all, they have EIGHT souls depending on that; right?

Although I truly wish each person good will, I hope their show is cancelled. I hope they are so humiliated and humbled that they lie on their faces broken before Him. After being stripped of their pride, perhaps then, will they be able to hear His voice. My prayer is that they can. My prayer is that they will take up their armour and fight...not like a sissy...but a warrior that belongs to the Great I Am. My prayer is that they stand on the truth of His word and defeat the enemy.

I don't have a perfect marriage by ANY stretch of the imagination...and at times, it's still a work in progress...BUT my best moments are when Jesus heals my brokenness. My best moments are when I put my husband first. My best moments are when I actually make the words of the bible be a living testimony. My best moments are because of who He is, not who I am.

Even though they will never know it, a mighty 5 foot tall warrior is praying for the families and marriages of America. The battle WILL be won!

Brotherly Love

Since I was raised an only child and missed the wonderful world of "sibling rivalry", I am constantly baffled by the fighting and hateful words that my children use towards one another. In an effort to have a kinder and gentler environment, I've been trying to encourage the boys to use more positive, sweet and nice words with one another. Perhaps they are taking it a bit too far.

As we are driving to camp a few days ago, Andrew announces from the back seat, "Hey, sorry, guys...I just tooted." Alex yells from the front seat, "Gross, that STINKS!" Aidan, remembering my pep-talk on brotherly love, proclaims from his car seat, "Oh, I think it smells good, Andrew!" Andrew says sweetly, "Thank you, Aidan." I roll down the car windows in disgust. Complimenting each other on their gassy explosions was not what I had in mind.

Even as I am writing this, I am once again confronted with the painful fact that my words are spoken in vain. As Andrew and Aidan are playing Lego's, each one is excitedly showing me their new creations. I appropriately ooh and awe over the little blocks of plastic that are supposed to resemble a castle or an airplane. "Do you like it, Mommy?" Andrew asks. "Oh, yes!" I reply enthusiastically. "Do you like mine?" Aidan asks curiously. "No, it's weird." Andrew remarks before I can say anything. Aidan is crushed and I am baffled. I want to shake him and yell, "This is the boy who even likes the smell of your farts, for crying out loud, can't you at least like his stupid Lego airplane?!" So much for brotherly love.