Weekend to Remember

This weekend Jeff and I had the privilege of attending a marriage conference sponsored by Family Life called "Weekend to Remember." The speakers shared their thoughts on creating a timeless blueprint for marriage, maintaining commitment and communication, & romance and resolving conflict. While it was a good refresher course for us, sometimes the generalities of the topics left me wanting for something more. But nonetheless, the principles taught hold true and we gleaned some meaningful insights into areas that could potentially breakdown communication between the two of us.

A couple of times during the conference, I'd look over at Jeff and there would be tears streaming down his face. I'm always compelled when he's moved to tears because I'm definitely the more emotional of the two of us. The topic of faithfulness cuts him to the core. I excused myself to go to the restroom at one point and Jeff followed me into the hallway and said, "I just want that for us more than anything. To know that no one's leaving, we'll love each other no matter what, and we will be faithful."

Some people attending the conference, like Jeff, experienced the pain of their spouse having an extra-marital affair. I don't know how Jeff learned to rebuild trust after such a betrayal, but it hit me in a hard way that I need to be more sensitive to his fear of my leaving and not even fantasize about escaping when things get tough. Because thoughts turn into words...and words turn into actions...and actions turn into habits...and habits turn into our character.

Speaking of character, I believe that's Jeff best quality. A dear friend recently commented, "Your husband is so noble. I love that about him." I agree. He's the only guy I know through and through that I can take to the character stand in front of the Lord anyday. He does the right thing at his own expense, he's so transparent and true...and despite our difficulties, I know I'm so lucky to have him.

God's design for marriage is really quite simple but we often complicate things when life gets messy. Half of all marriages end in divorce and Christians are just as likely to be culprits of broken families as non-believers. It's especially sad when you consider the fact that we're called to reflect Christ and His body through the context of marriage and to create a godly legacy.

This conference was a great reminder that amid the unglamorous, daily grind in our relationships, we're called to reflect God's glory and that is the greatest thing we can do.