Marriage Monday - Marriage is a Continual Journey

by Julie Gorman

We’re friends right? And friends can be honest with one another…right? So…can I just say…very honestly…I’ve had a lot of trial and errors all through out my marriage, even recently?

Don’t get me wrong…I love my husband implicitly…but he sure can tick me off…and he has a few times lately. LOL.

In the past few week I have travelled well over 10,000 miles…driving from Texas to Missouri…to Kentucky…then flying to the Ukraine…back to Kentucky…then flying to Florida…then back to Kentucky…then driving to Missouri…and finally back home to Texas! Whew…just thinking of it gives me jet lag all over.

Along with all the travel, I am packing boxes. We are moving our family from Texas to Florida in just 3 short weeks. We are doing all of this and still haven’t gotten the final approval our rental lease for the next year has been finalized! AGGGH!

All in all…we are under a little pressure. Now combine in the mix that I’m finishing the last 3 chapters of my next book and awaiting final approval from my publishing company…well…you might just say there’s a little stress in my life right now.

So, Greg and my temperaments have been tested. Our friendship has been stretched. And, the grace we need for one another has been magnified. I say all of this to remind myself and you that…

Marriage is a continual journey; if you struggle you are not strange. Every couple hurdles obstacles within their relationship, but resolving to press on produces healthy, satisfying relationships.

Thomas Edison once replied to an interviewer’s question (concerning his light bulb invention), “I never failed once. It just happened to be a 200-step process.” Our marriages won’t fail if we embrace the same attitude and commitment Edison held concerning his inventions. He never gave up. He kept trying until he succeeded.

Marriage is a journey, demanding our constant effort of “giving” not “taking.” Prepare for the twists and turns in the road. Prepare for the occasional accidents and detours. Position yourself in prayer. Study the road map of God’s Word and you’ll discover direction for your journey. You can’t stop. Keep driving. In the hazardous seasons, slow down. Remember, every journey has a starting point; your marriage started with a vow before God. Occasionally, you find yourself at the starting line all over again remaking and reconfirming the vows to love, honor, and cherish. Put your spouse’s needs before your own and watch God move.

In the Seven Conflicts, Tim and Joy Downs write: “Each of us is born with an instinctive ‘me first’ attitude. But in marriage, each husband and wife has to cultivate a ‘we first’ mentality—and each needs to know that his or her partner shares that value.” (2003, Moody Publishers, pg. 40)

Don’t give up—God is near. If you have breath it is not too late to experience your “happily-ever-after.” Marriage takes a lot of hard work and you may feel as though your life hangs by a delicate string, but God is able to mend and restore. Put your hope and confidence in Him and He will navigate you on your journey.