Our lack of enthusiasm is not necessarily because we continue to have a young, fresh marriage and simply cannot bear the thought of being so far, far apart (although that's part of it). It's primarily because we have poured a lot of time, care, priority, and effort into this thing we call our marriage, to the point we now heavily depend on it. Our relationship and marriage have become the foundation of how we live--in our faith, our routines, our free-time, and in our hope. It's simply not in line with the direction we've been heading. So what do we do?
Sarah and I both know we have the tendency, like many people and couples, to become very invested in whatever it is we're doing--whether it be work, school, a project at home, vacation, etc. For both of us, it'd be easy simply to let this time be a "time away and apart," knowing that we'll come back together and pick back up where we left off once we're together again. Some relationships work that way. But living in the illusion that although our relationship hasn't thrived that way in the past but will now somehow won't work.
Our best option is to commit to staying connected and hold ourselves and each other accountable to some practices. These may be helpful suggestions for others in relationships as well:
- Never be too busy to talk on the phone, any time of the day, even if it can only be a short call.
- Don't allow circumstances of distance and differing circumstances validate disengagement.
- Study a Bible-based devotion nightly and pray together.
- Treat weekends like royal homecoming holidays!
God is good, and so, God willing, we'll grow even stronger in our faith and relationship through these simple practices. There's even a good chance we'll keep these as rules even when we're NOT at a distance from each other!
More to come!
Jason <><
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