A Path of Friendship.

“Please build a path of friendship for Michele and me.” that was always his prayer. And, it used to bum me out because it seemed so humdrum. I wanted to hear words like, “desire & passion”… I wanted the fire that addiction had snubbed out to be rekindled. The lies had stolen the spark along with its trust.

But, over the years, his prayer has stayed consistent.

And here we are today, sitting next to one another trying to decide the next step for us. There is a gap between us that could cause us to part ways as husband and wife. This gap could allow us the time to face our own demons and walk away healthier, back toward one another. Divorce would be the more straightforward approach. Divorcing addiction sounds marvelous to me.

The voices say…

God hates divorce. So do I.

Christianity requires forgiveness. Too fast of forgiveness is codependency.

I have the freedom to leave. But, I also have the freedom to stay.

AND I have the freedom to pause… to figure it out.

What is the next right step?

I can allow myself the time to make a choice. I have a choice. I am not stuck. I am not powerless.

But, a friend loves at all times.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. (John 15:12-13)

Friends love each other the same way Christ loves us (John 15:12-13)

Friends challenge each other to meet the highest good (Proverbs 27:17)

Friends are not bad-tempered (Proverbs 22:24-25)

Friends never withhold kindness and mercy (Job 6:14)

17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)

Do you want to be well? IF we can be well individually, will God allow us to re-enter into a well-marriage?