Communication is important....

A judge was interviewing a woman regarding her pending divorce, and asked, “What are the grounds for your divorce?” She replied, “About four acres and a nice little home in the middle of the property with a stream running by.” “No,” he said, “I mean what is the foundation of this case?” “It is made of concrete, brick and mortar,” she responded. “I mean,” he continued, “What are your relations like?” “I have an aunt and uncle living here in town, and so do my husband’s parents.” He said, “Do you have a real grudge?” “No,” she replied, “We have a two-car carport and have never really needed one.” “Please,” he tried again, “is there any infidelity in your marriage?” “Yes, both my son and daughter have stereo sets. We don’t necessarily like the music, but the answer to your questions is yes.” “Ma am, does your husband ever beat you up?” “Yes,” she responded, “about twice a week he gets up earlier than I do.” Finally, in frustration, the judge asked, “Lady, why do you want a divorce?” “Oh, I don’t want a divorce,” she replied. “I’ve never wanted a divorce. My husband does. He said he can’t communicate with me!”

I agree that communication is important to a marriage.  But I don’t think it is the most important.  Most important is a correct definition of love.  To many of us love is like a pit or a well that people accidently fall in to.  When that happens they are helpless to do anything about it.  They fell in and that is all there is to it. 

The problem with this simplistic understanding of love is that people somehow fall out of the well as easy as they fell in.  If the falling ’in’ or ’out’ is a good reason for the relationship to exist, well no wonder it is so hard to keep a marriage together.  There is no good reason to stay together.  We helplessly fall in and out of love.

There is a better way, and it is understandable, definable, attainable and doable.  That what I will be preaching about on Sunday June 4 and 11.