The Marriage Road Trip

Today, 49 years ago, Joe and I were married. It was a small ceremony, and only a few close friends and immediate family attended. At the end of the reception, we loaded our personal baggage into Joe’s Capri, and headed out on the road trip of life. Anyone who has ever been married, or still is, knows that at some point that baggage is going to get unpacked. Peering over the top of your own case, which is so thoughtfully filled, you notice the crazy things your spouse has stuffed in theirs. Why in the world did they think they needed all that junk? It’s useless, ugly, won’t fit in my plans, and now my eye is beginning to twitch. Of course, as they linger lovingly over every piece of theirs, concern builds while eyeing your mounting treasure cache. It starts innocuously enough. You like the drapes closed all day, and they want sunlight. What do you mean my meatloaf is just OK? I didn’t know you loved old westerns. Your parents did thus and such one way, well mine did it differently. Who is right? Is there even a right or wrong at all? All the trappings we hauled up to the altar have become fuel for the fire. Huffs and puffs of exasperation fan it into flame. The pleasant road trip is getting bumpier day by day. I mention all this, not to be a Donnie Downer, but a realist. Marriage is not the easy, breezy sojourn we anticipate. Joe and I are about as different as two people can get, or as the Brits say as chalk and cheese. Totally diverse upbringings, religion, well, just about everything. It’s at this point many couples say, I’m not happy, and I want out. Divorce has become the go-to solution, but is it? One of my favorite quotes on the subject comes from Billy Graham’s wife. When asked in an interview if she had ever considered divorce, she adamantly replied NO, followed immediately by, murder, YES!! I laugh out loud every time I hear that, and don’t deny it, you’re doing the same. So, when the road trip vehicle begins to head for the ditch, and let’s face it they all do, what are you going to do? Reach for the murder weapon? Okay, let’s agree that’s not the best choice. So, then what? As Joe says we have to endure some things, putting up with for the good of the institution. While we may not have known 49 years ago what our journey would entail, we knew that we had entered a covenant relationship. We both knew that the pact was not merely between we two imperfect humans, but included God as the third partner. A three strand cord is not easily broken. Ecc. 4:12 . That said, marriage still isn’t easy, nor does it always make you happy. Nothing in life of great value is always satisfying. It takes work, tears, suffering, lots of prayer, respect, love and yes, endurance. But, through it all, faithfulness will bring God’s blessings. Yes, we have been the recipients of those blessings in all areas of our earthly travels, including family, friends and satisfying work. Recently we became the owners of this 1995 Jeep. We call her Nellie Belle, like the one on the old Roy Rogers show. She is a material blessing, to be sure, but one we have been enjoying immensely. Her solid frame and over-sized tires, and with God’s help, will keep us contentedly moving forward on the marriage road trip to #50. Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. Hebrews 13:4