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marriage is all about protection.
our lives are filled with relationships. all kinds of them. but the one we share with our spouse is different than all of them.
it sits above and outside all others. it is the one relationship that nobody infringes on. i’m not talking about some macho, hunter-gatherer, “don’t mess with my woman” kind of protection. it’s something much deeper than that.
there’s sacred territory in my marriage. there are words and conversation that are only between me and wanda. there are looks and touches that are only reserved for the two of us. there are no secret jokes and private intimate memories with other women and other men.
our time together is protected. our feelings are protected. we don’t talk publicly about each others sins and mistakes. our shortcomings are protected. self-image and confidence is protected. feelings are protected.
there is no relationship that is more important. it is always more important than the one we have with our parents. the first words in the bible about the marriage relationship speak of leaving parents and sticking like glue to our spouse. this is powerful stuff!
it is more important than our relationship with our children. this is especially true for parents of younger kids, because they will constantly try to penetrate the protective barriers you try to put up around your marriage. they will compete for your time, your energy, your loyalty, your affection…not to mention their little eyes that inflict guilt every time you say “no” to their cries for attention.
your marriage is more important than your work relationships, your ministry relationships, your best friends, your siblings, and your neighbors. everyone comes in a distant second. everyone.
and if you are not actively and passionately protecting this one great relationship commitment you have made, you are running the risk of losing it.
this is truth spoken in love.
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