The "Right" Relationship


I saw a meme the other day that said this:

"The right relationship won't distract you from God.  It will bring you closer to Him."

Yep - that rings true.

My former husband is a man I loved.  Deeply.  So much so, that I put my relationship with HIM ahead of my relationship with God.  

However, because our first conversations had been ABOUT God, I felt God had been the one to put him into my life.  I thought God was the one who wanted the relationship. 

The truth is, I had sought him out.  

I had been engaged for four years but my former fiance would not move forward.  Then, at my sister's graduation from college I met my ex-husband and thought he was cute.

My family liked him.  My sister's boyfriend had been his roommate in college and the three of them all hung out together and enjoyed each other's company.  My mom called him "Mr. Personality".  His family seemed nice...

So, after the graduation, and my sister's subsequent wedding where we sat together at the head table - I decided he would be a good match for me, and that I was willing to do whatever it took to "get him".  

Then, rather than praying about whether it was something that God wanted, I asked God for His help and His blessing.  

My first act of submission to my former husband was changing religions, for he said he would not marry someone who was not of his faith.

I spent the next 25 years thinking, "well, I'm not growing in my relationship with you God, but you must have known that when you put this man in my life.  You and I will catch up later..."

We switched churches many times in hopes that I would find one that "felt right," but nothing did and nothing quenched the desire that was in my soul. 

Nothing, until I attended a service at my current church.  There, I found the Bible-based teaching I was looking for.  There I heard sermons that were relatable and that I remembered and reflected on throughout the week.

When I told my ex-husband that I wanted to go to that church, he said, "if you do that you'll tear apart our marriage."  Turns out - he was right.

But now I spend time with God daily.  I write this blog.  I go on mission trips.  I do Bible studies.  I find that God is someone I LOVE hanging out with - not some distant "judge" sitting on a throne waiting to determine my fate...

As a divorced woman I told my now-husband that if he didn't have any plans for Easter, he should consider coming to the church I attended.  His response was, "tell me you didn't just invite me to my own church!"

Yes - the right relationship is one that has God at the center.  And when that is the case it will take two people - and bring them closer.  The right relationship will not distract you from God, it will bring you closer to Him.

"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." - 1 Timothy 2:3-4





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