occupy, or involve (someone’s interest or attention). Participate or become involved in.
engage
It’s Tuesday again, and you know what that means… today is Truth Be Told Tuesday. Thanks for checking in.
A few years after my first divorce, my “first” mother-in-law, Karen- you haven’t fully taken a bite out of life until you have had more than one mother-in-law, I’m kidding, sort of- asked me a question that I will never forget: “What have you learned from the choices you’ve made?”
My answer was less than profound; “You have to live with them,” I replied.
Fast forward some 18 years later and a good friend ask me to comment on a question she had: “should couples stay married for the sake of the kids or divorce and try to find happiness?”
I was like; “you’re joking, right?”
Though flattered and honored by her request, I wondered aloud if she was being sarcastic, or worse yet, was I qualified to comment? I recognized my multiple marriages and my village-like numbers in the area of children might make me an authority on the topic to some, but I assured her it did not.
I proceeded to explain my uneasiness with advising any individual on their marriage, and that any opinion I might share finds it source and inspiration in the gospel, but in no way is my opinion the gospel.
My beliefs are fueled by spiritual reflection, an introspective perspective, and personal experiences that have a firm foundation built upon the concrete slabs of failure, not the limestone of success.
With that being said, I went on to point out the poorly limited option of staying married for the kid’s sake or breaking up the family- the situation doesn’t have to read like a scoreboard, with only a home and visiting team. I also shared with her my belief when couples divorce and leave each other that the “leaving” is often not the real problem, but merely the consequence of countless poor decisions that were made prior.
What I do know from personal experience is that the grass was never intended to look greener on the other side, but we make it greener in our mind to justify the choices we make. Besides, if by chance the grass were to be greener you still have to cut it.
Research divorce rates for remarried couples and you’ll see what I mean.
In the end, whatever we are pursuing that is good and true in our career, finances, and marriage, whatsoever we seek to come to fruition in the area of dreams, aspirations that God has placed upon our heart, or more importantly, any deep seeded desire we have to be in the center of God’s will for our life and pursue a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father, we have to decide- choose, to be fully engaged, remain faithful and in constant pursuit of that which we believe God is leading us to.
No different than standing in line at Kroger’s or Macy’s, we have to stay in line, because when we choose to get out of line we lose our spot, in the same way when we decide not to be faithful any longer in a certain area of our life we often lose out on the blessing God intended for us in that very area.
Stay in line and don’t lose your place. Stay faithful and be prepared for God’s blessing.
That is my “Truth Be Told” for February 18, 2014 (tbtt . #44)
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