Before you throw in the towel.

I am not a marriage counselor today, I won't be tomorrow, and I wasn't one yesterday. I don't have a PhD in family counseling. I never studied marriage psychology. I am not an expert on how to deal with relationship struggles and I do not know everyone's past. I realize that some marriages are over long before they ever begin. I also realize that certain instances and situations leave people with no choice but to throw in the towel on their marriage. I am not naive in thinking that everyone can have some fairy tale marriage with hugs, kisses, and happiness everyday. I know life's struggles. I know what it's like to want show my husband the love I have inside but day after day life gets in the way. I know what it's like realizing it's time for bed and I have yet to give my husband a kiss. I know what it's like to argue over taking the trash out, getting the kids ready, and spending money! 

I may not have all of the credentials to give the best advice in a time of need but I do however, have a faith that is strong enough to help me withstand the fails of marriage and help me to realize just what it takes to uphold a marriage within the storm. I can tell you this much...no one works harder or longs for your marriage to succeed more than the Lord himself. He fights for us daily and if you just give him a chance to work within your marriage you may find that loving your spouse is a little easier each day. I find myself drifting occasionally from keeping God #1 in our marriage and for that, not only I, but my entire family suffer the consequences. 

I have had my share of watching marriages crumble within the walls of love and time after time I look for an answer as to why. Why did the love disappear? What happen to get them to the point of no return? Regardless of the circumstances that lead to divorce, there is alway one common denominator...God was not #1. Seems so simple but yet so hard for us to obtain. Why is that? Why is it so easy to let God slip from being #1? Honestly, I do not have that answer and plan on spending the rest of my life trying to figure that out! 

Before you throw in the towel on your marriage...let God into your marriage, let him be #1, love him more than you love yourself, your husband, and your family. Marriage is not easy, it may in fact be the hardest thing you ever work for. No matter who's against you, never forget that God is always for you. He is always in your corner. Always rooting for your marriage. Wanting nothing more than to see your marriage succeed! 

-Ashley