The phone
rang again. Would he answer this time or
let it roll over to voice mail?
“Hello.”
“Hey, honey.
It’s me.”
“Hey, how’s
it going?” He sounds distracted. As usual.
I swallow
the lump in my throat. If I thought he
really wanted to know, I’d tell him. But after ten years together I know he doesn’t
expect a genuine reply.
“Good. I’m
just calling to see if you’ll be home for dinner. I’ll make your favorite—”
“Not
tonight. A client flew in and I’m taking him out.”
Of course you are.
I exhale softly. “Okay, well how about we go out to eat
tomorrow night? You pick the place.”
“Sorry, but
I can’t. This merger is really putting me behind.”
“What about
us?” I squeeze my eyes closed. I will not
cry.
“What about
us? Wasn’t it only a few weeks ago I took you to see that play?”
Through the
phone I hear papers crinkle as he continues to work. “That was four
months ago…for my birthday.” How could he
forget?
“Sheesh.
Calm down. I know it was just last week we met for lunch.”
I count to
three before replying, “That was two weeks ago and you were late, only had one
cup of coffee, then you split. “
A loud sigh whooshes
in my ear. “I’m sorry. I just have too much on my plate right now…deadlines to
meet, people to please…”
The silence becomes
deafening as he waits for me to let him off the hook. It’s what I always do, but not this
time. His absence from our marriage has gone
on for too long.
“I have a
few hours open Thursday evening. Make reservations at your favorite restaurant,
text me the info and I’ll meet you.”
A smile tugs
at my lips but my heart is cautious. “Are you sure you won’t forget?”
“That’s why
I said text me the info. I’ll put it on my calendar.”
I bite back
my snarky reply, Was our anniversary being
today NOT on your calendar?
“Do you need
anything else? I’m late for a meeting.”
“Nope. Love
you, can’t wait for our date.”
“Love you
too. Bye.”
I click the END
button on my phone and wipe the tears off my cheeks.
You love me, you just
don’t want to spend time with me.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
The above
story is fiction.
But the
lessons we can glean from it are not.
Relationships
take work.
They require
time and effort from all parties involved.
If one
person isn’t invested, the whole relationship is strained.
If left
unchecked it can be fatal…just like cancer if not treated.
I know if I
act like my marriage is an inconvenience or something to be checked off my
“to-do” list that it wouldn’t be long
before my husband questions my love,
devotion and my motives for being in the relationship.
A relationship
with God is similar.
Salvation
isn’t a “Get out of jail free card” nor is it like a membership to a country
club (what’s in it for me, how does
church/God benefit me).
Salvation is an invitation to join
into a relationship with God. (click to tweet)
Going to
church a few times a year isn’t going to cut it.
Likewise, going
to church every week, tithing and volunteer work do not equate a healthy
relationship (though it may appear to).
God knows
when your heart is in it or if you are just pretending to love Him.
God knows your
motives better than you do. He knows if you’re more into appearances than actual
devotion to Him.
He knows all
this and yet He loves you anyway.
God wants
a relationship with you. He wants to be
included in your day, considered in your decision making and part of your life. (Click to
tweet)
He’s waiting
for you to want Him, like He wants you.
He wants to share Himself with you, but He’s waiting for you to choose Him.
Your
schedule may be cram packed, but you can still squeeze in a few moments with
Him.
We make time for what’s important to
us. We make time for those we love and value.
QUESTIONS: How’s your relationship with God? If it were a real marriage would you be going
strong or would you be in counseling? Would you be more in love with each
passing year or headed for divorce court?
