I Do

“Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:23 NIV

It should have been one of the happiest times of our lives. But somehow I found myself, arms crossed, registry scanner in hand, pouting in the home goods section of Target. After six years of dating, I convinced my sweetheart to give up wearing ratty t-shirts with holes and persuaded him to take me to chick flicks like How to Make an American Quilt, but somehow he was standing firm with his quest to register for wooden salt and pepper shakers. Wooden. Seriously, I couldn’t understand.

How could I possibly season my culinary selections with wooden salt and pepper shakers that reminded me of 1970’s wood paneling? I couldn’t. Uh-uh. No way. Not me. I stood staring at the non-stick frying pans and waited.

“Fine,” he spewed, exasperated and too tired to continue the disagreement. “Pick whatever ones you want.” I walked to the glass, restaurant-style shakers with purpose. I raised the scanner gun, aimed at the barcode, and pulled the trigger. Blip.

Unfortunately, in my haste, I scanned the wrong shakers.

Marriages today are under attack, and I believe we are pointing our guns the wrong way. When “for better” turns to “for worse,” husbands and wives are turning to each other and firing with both barrels. Both parties end up wounded. Instead, we need to make sure we are aiming at the right one – Satan. That devious wrongdoer works overtime trying to tear marriages into tiny pieces. He whispers in ears, “He should appreciate you more. Who does he think he is? You deserve better.”

You do deserve better – better than the refuse heap in which Satan wishes to cast your marriage. You deserve to share in the marriage Christ intended for you. You deserve a happily ever after. So if everything is falling down around you, and over your shoulder you hear the hiss, “You deserve better,” don’t make the mistake of aiming at the wrong thing. It will only end in disappointment for you both. Set your sights and fire at the one who deserves the suffering. Then reach out your hand for our Almighty Father.

Lord, so many are hurting today. There are those reading these words that have marriages in need of healing. I call on Your power to reach down and pick up the pieces and make them whole. Raise beauty from the ashes, Lord. Help those involved understand the role Satan has taken in destroying their bonds. Give them the courage to accept the help that only You can give. Bless each marriage touched by these words. Lord, there are some whose marriages have already been destroyed, and they are still standing in the fallout wondering what happened. Give them hope and faith that You will carry them through. I ask this in Your precious name, amen.