One more piece of the puzzle

Four failed marriages, a fifth that has not been easy and a son, whose marriage came to an abrupt end after only a few months. I certainly understand the difficulties that come with marriage. What I lack are the answers for success. Only time spent in "face in the carpet prayer" with my Heavenly Father has allowed me to be in my twelfth year of this marriage. So what gives?

One of my absolutely favorite authors, John Eldredge of Ransom Heart Ministry, just published a book written with his wife Stasi on this very subject. Love and War, Finding the Marriage You've Dreamed Of. When I was presented with the opportunity to review the book, I jumped at the chance. Literally. That was one package that was eagerly anticipated, let me tell you.

Now normally I can sit down with a book and read the entire book in one sitting. God has given me an amazing capacity for speed reading and absorption. But I could not do that with Love and War. It was too much to digest in one sitting. I had to read a few chapters and then ponder for a while what was being said. I love how, even though I could hear John's and Stasi's voices clearly in their written words, God's voice was the clearest throughout. This book is chock full of scripture and the plan of God for marriage is woven beautifully and clearly throughout each chapter.

I grew up with rules and religion. It has been a paradigm shift to see and to understand that my life here on earth is only about God's heart and His desire for relationship with me along with the battle coming from our enemy. I loved how John and Stasi point out that our Bible begins and ends with a marriage. I knew that my enemy wants to steal kill and destroy me. I just never thought about how the enemy hates my marriage.

Toward the end of the book, John writes this, "Those who want to find God must look where he lives--must love in the same manner, for the same things, for the same reasons. 'God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him' (John 4:16). Every time we choose to love, we take a step closer to God; it is like he is right there. Every time we choose something else, we take a step away. I want God, so I choose love... Then we read the Scriptures telling us to love one another 'as God love us,' and if you had not made the connection yet that trail leads to a crown of thorns."

For me, that summed up the entire message of Love and War. It is about love. We are in a war. Our enemy is real. He is determined. But God. But God loved us so much that He chose the thorns. He chose the sacrifice. And so must we.

This is a huge piece to the puzzle I call life. I am calmer after having read Love and War. More peaceful. I will be reading this book over and over again. I will be getting the video series and pleading with my sweet Jack to make this a priority study. I will be telling everyone that I know to please read this book. I do not believe that there is one marriage that would fail to benefit.

Thank you, John and Stasi Eldredge, for having the courage to be so transparent. For your obedience in speaking God's truth. For wanting others to have what you have found. May God bless you mightily.