A couple thoughts hit me today. Unrelated thoughts, really, except for the one concept that loosely ties them together:
Marriage.
I recently learned that someone I've known for a while has filed for divorce. I don't know the particulars, I just know that it is happening. I feel terrible for the children involved, and for the spouses that can no longer make a go of it, for whatever reason the breakup is occurring.
Like I said, I don't know the details. I am not passing judgment on the action. Who knows if there was cheating, illicit activity, abuse, whatnot? I don't, so I am not commenting.
I do know that, in casual, public conversations, the couple has commented - almost proudly - about how matter-of-fact the idea to get married was for them (I was a participant in one of those conversations). They had one child already, with another on the way, when they decided to make it all official.
I pray for the family, and that hopefully some unturned stone can be turned that will enable them to understand the gravity of their decision. I pray that, if there were no indiscretions of the legal or moral variety, that they would stay together.
I had this event in mind when I started reading some political articles on lunch today. I know, what does a divorce have to do with politics? Marriage is a commitment that is intended to be a lifelong commitment. You don't look around - "aw come on, hon, I'm just looking" doesn't cut it - you don't think "what if?" You made your commitment.
Upon reading these political articles, it amazed me how many more people will make a commitment to a political party than they will to marriage. In politics, there is no "love, honor and cherish" vow - made in front of God and at least two witness. There are no moral, legal or familial strings attached in politics. We can leave the arrangement when appropriate - heck, it's not even appropriate to say there is an "arrangement". Yet, in an institution where the commitment is expected and to be revered - marriage - people drop the commitment as though they are shopping for their next house or looking for their next church.
When we hold more commitment to a political party than we do to marriage, our priorities are misplaced. We need to be reminded of what true commitment is, and to whom we are committed.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Marriage Taken Lightly
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
See, I don't know, Rick, especially right now. From what I can tell, a lot of formerly committed Republicans are jumping off like rats from a sinking ship over this whole immigration/amnesty bill.
That's because theyve committed one too many affairs with their loving "spouse."
I think it is because most identify with a party based on their upbringing, rather than actual philosophical convictions.
And we don't have to live with our leaders, so can ignore some of their bad habits more easily.
Barb, yes, but it shouldn't take the worst case scenario to make rational people start to think.
Dana, good points. We do ignore our politicians' habits, instead of looking more closely at them.
The first time somebody close to you splits up, it's very disturbing.
Makes you feel blessed, doesn't it?
It certainly is. The situation was bugging me for a couple of days, and I finally realized that that was the reason why.
I am very blessed.
Post a Comment