So for the last six days I have been a bachelor. Although, this time around it was not nearly as fun. My wife went out of town, but it wasn't anything like what I remember single life being. I once was a proud and independent young man. Of course back before I met her I lived with my best friends in a house that was always awake. I loved that time of my life but I always, even growing up, felt a little bit lonely to be just a bachelor. I know that Paul said it is better to not marry if you can but, if I'm honest, I don't think I was built for that.
I was 20 and perfectly content with my life, not feeling that I would care if I ever got married, and then SHE came along. She was sweet, cute, unashamedly wore her heart on her sleave, and could often just be a wreck. I liked her. So, to shorten things a bit, we got married and I love our marriage! So, she goes out of town for almost a week and I become a bored and much less useful man... How did that happen?!
Three months ago my grandmother died and a couple of weeks ago her husband followed. After she was gone he felt like he didn't have a purpose in life, so this perfectly healthy older man got shingles and died in his sleep a couple of nights later. It's amazing to hear of people dying of a broken heart. There have been books written on it by doctors and scientists. You should look it up. A woman will die on what would have been her husband's birthday or their anniversary.
My marriage changes me. I do things because I'm married that I would not do if I was single. When my wife leaves town I slump into withdrawal. I think it is safe to say that I'm addicted to my wife. So let's answer this question: is it OK to be addicted? Well, my marriage and my wife are certainly not sufficient to fill up my life. That infinite hole calls for an infinite God. If my wife were to die I would still have purpose, would still want people to know this God that fills me up.
Marriage was not created to fill me up, but to be a picture. The way I love my wife is supposed to be a picture to her of how Jesus loves her, and her job is to be my treasure. Our relationship is a little glimpse of the great love affair between God and us. He loves us and we are his treasure. So this is what I have decided while I've been writing this: I need to be more girlie. I need to know that my purpose in life is to be the Groom's treasure. So when my wife leaves for a day, or a week, or for good, my addiction will not get the best of me, even if I'm not willing to seek treatment.
Favorite Song: Please, Before I Go by Derek Webb
Favorite Food: Salad
Favorite place to practice dance moves: the kitchen (socks are helpful)
