Faithfulness in Relationships by Chrissy Wiles

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:19-21 NIV)

Jason* and Hannah*—married six years with two sons, were on the verge of abandoning their marriage. They had been arguing for months. About everything and about nothing. Hannah finally told Jason she just didn't know if she was still in love with him. She needed space. Time to think about what she really wanted. Jason didn’t like this idea at all and retaliated by saying he would leave. He told her to book him a hotel in the mountains so she could have "her space" as requested.

On the day she booked the hotel, she received a phone call from her husband saying he was hurt. He couldn't walk. He couldn't stand. Not even straighten his legs. He had taken a bad fall. Hannah hurried home to Jason, and because he still could not walk called an ambulance. Because of the extent of his injury, they spent an entire day in the emergency room. Together. Alone. Neither of them knowing what to say because of their recent events.

After numerous and repeated moments of uncomfortable and awkward silences, Jason looked at Hannah and mumbled, "Thank you for being here with me." Hannah smiled, realizing right then where she really needed to be, what the purpose of their marriage was and is, and what their commitment to one another should be.

In my 27 years of life, I've heard many people say, "Back in my day divorce wasn't heard of and today it is so common." Not saying this isn’t true, but hearing the above verses at church one morning during the sermon made me realize divorce has afflicted humans since shortly after the beginning of time. It also reminded me of this very real story of my two friends, Hannah and Jason. When a problem arises, we want to quit…give up…turn another way. But because we serve an almighty, loving, gracious, and faithful God, He gives us examples and stories (his Word) to keep us going in times of desperation. To knock us off our selfish feet and to lay at his. 

Take a moment to thank God for his Word and his faithfulness since the beginning of time.
*Names changed to protect individuals' privacy. 

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