Faithfulness Protects (Part 2)
FAITHFULNESS TO ONE’S HUSBAND OR WIFE PROTECTS A PERSON FROM HEARTBREAK.
Bible Reading of the Day: Read Proverbs 31:10-11, 28-29.
Verse of the Day: “To the faithful you show yourself faithful” (Psalm 18:25).
Brian sat alone in his room, crying. Suddenly he heard a knock, and the door opened a crack.
“Can I come in?” his father asked.
Brian answered with a nod. He hurriedly wiped his eyes with his shirt sleeve.
Dad sat next to Brian on the bed. They sat in silence for several moments before Dad spoke. “I just got off the phone with Justin’s dad,” he said. Brian nodded and sniffed quietly. “Is that why you’re crying?” Dad asked.
Brian nodded again. He and Justin were best friends. He didn’t want Justin to move. But if his parents divorced, Justin might have to move if his mom did.
“Why do they have to get divorced?” Brian asked, trying hard to control his trembling voice.
“They don’t have to,” Dad answered, “but that’s the choice they’ve made.”
“But why?”
Dad sighed loudly and stared at his hands. “Probably a lot of reasons, some of which we just can’t understand,” he answered. “But I do know that somewhere along the line Justin’s mom and dad stopped being faithful to each other.”
Brian’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
Dad looked at Brian. He inhaled deeply and cleared his throat. “You see, Brian, when a man or a woman starts thinking about, and treating other people, in ways that should be reserved for a husband or wife, it can do terrible damage to a marriage. That’s what happened to Justin’s parents.”
“But it’s not fair to Justin,” Brian said.
“You’re right,” Dad answered. “That’s one of the reasons God wants husbands and wives to be faithful to each other—because faithfulness can save us a lot of heartache. I know that Justin’s dad wishes now that he’d understood that a long time ago.”
“I don’t ever want you and Mom to break up,” Brian said.
“Neither do I, Brian,” Dad answered. “I don’t want to go through what Justin’s parents are going through right now, and I don’t want you to have to go through the kind of hurt Justin is feeling. So I plan to be faithful to your mother, just like I promised at our wedding.”
“Good,” Brian said. His mood seemed to lighten slightly. “Can I call Justin?”
Dad nodded and said, “He could probably use a good friend right now.”
TO DO: Think of ways to show your appreciation for the faithfulness of your family members. Make cards for each other, or make a special meal to share together.
TO PRAY: “Lord, the faithfulness evident in our relationships is a blessing. Help us to never take it for granted.”