The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Husband and Wife (08/08/14)
“Harry, I just can’t take any more, and this time I really am going. Try to understand – I'm sure it’s for the best, for both of us…”

'Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it.' (1) And unto her, too, I suppose.

Still asleep. Too much drink and too much shouting last night. I’ll tiptoe out quietly. That’s the kindest way.

'Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil.' (2)

Angry. Why do I get so angry these days? I used to be a calm person…until I married Harry.

Not that we entered into it lightly. I think we both thought at the time that we were doing it 'reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in the fear of God' (3), as it said in the service. But now it all seems so different.

'Discreetly, soberly.' Now that’s a laugh! Harry could hardly stand up at the wedding reception. Still, he did manage to sober up for the honeymoon. We were happy together then…

'A man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife.' (4)

No such luck with Harry! He’s round at his parents’ house all the time. And when did he last cling to me? Why won’t he put me first? What have I done to drive him away?

'Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony.' (3)

'What God has joined together, let no one separate.' (5)

I know I married him 'for better for worse…till death us do part'. (3) Could it really be that this is just the 'worse' stage? Does the 'better' come after the 'worse'?

Forgive him? Forget all those hurtful things he said to me…all those hurtful things we both said, to one another? Could I? Could we?

Erase it all? Erase the wine stains on the carpet from last night? Erase the bruise on his cheek where I slapped him? Erase this farewell note I'm writing? Maybe God could, but… Maybe I can… Maybe we can.

(1) Proverbs 16:22, Authorized Version
(2) Ephesians 4:26, New Revised Standard Version
(3) Solemnization of Matrimony, Book of Common Prayer
(4) Genesis 2:24, New Revised Standard Version
(5) Matthew 19:6; Mark 10:9, New Revised Standard Version
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 383 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Brenda Rice
08/15/14
I hope this isn't the first Harry I read about.

Interesting approach and full of truth. Right on topic and has a great message.

Enjoyed it--thanks.
C D Swanson 
08/20/14
Wow this somber and jarring tale makes me sad. It probably is true for so many couples out there.

Well written and different approach to the topic from what I've been reading. And, so it's realistic in content and delivery.

God bless~