I Love You, Lord

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:4-5

A decade ago, our marriage was on the verge of collapse. I was working full time and studying part time. My postgraduate studies demanded attention and I spent long nights studying, researching, and practicing piano. I enjoyed my work and my study but was sad that I was taking much time away from my wife and precious children. When our physical and emotional distancing became unbearable, my wife suggested we should seek counseling. I was perplexed and the thought of talking with someone else about our problems made me uncomfortable. I considered myself the provider and a good, faithful husband. However, she felt abandoned and alone.

I felt ashamed just to think that we would need counseling and resisted my wife's advice. I tried to do things better, but things got worse. Finally, when I realized that there's was no other way I agreed to go for counseling with our pastor and his wife.

I arrived at our first counseling session pretending that I was right, and she was wrong. I blamed her for our unfortunate situation saying that she was moody, quick to anger, and a little crazy. I was blinded to the reality that I was careless, self-righteous, selfish, and self-absorbed.

Our pastor suggested we first take a marriage test that measured our strengths and weaknesses. I was shocked at the result. It revealed that our marriage was about to end unless we made radical changes in our lives. The only thing holding our marriage together at that point was our connection with God.

Brenda and I are not the same type. We're actually opposites. She's socially smart, I'm socially challenged. She lives in the present, I live in the future. She's a gardener, I'm an astronaut. She's a realist, I'm an idealist. Those are the reasons (and many more) I chose her, because she complements me beautifully. She provides the balance we much need in our marriage. And I think those are the reasons God put her in my life too.

Fast-forward 10 years and today we are celebrating our 22nd anniversary. We thank God for being with us through it all. He was with us when we both said our wedding vows. He was with us in our honeymoon. He graced our lives with two precious children. He was with us in our regular visits with our pediatrician as well as our regular church attendance. He was with us when we relocated to San Antonio, a place we didn't know at the time. He was with us when our children started school. He was with us when I started school. He was with us even when our marriage was falling apart. And He was with us when we tried to put it back together.

So, what's the secret for our successful marriage? It's not a secret anymore. It's God. We're just willing to make Him a priority in our lives and follow his lead. If we can do it, then so can you, my friend. Your marriage is the most valuable legacy you can give to your children. Please don't let it fall through the cracks. Take the necessary steps to correct it and nurture it. Make God a priority in your marriage. The apostle Paul tells us "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." (Ephesians 4:2)

Looking back in my life, considering all of God's mercies, I can gratefully say "I love you, Lord."

I love you, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
Oh, my soul, rejoice!

Take joy my King
In what You hear
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
In Your ear

Words and Music by Laurie Klein