There aren’t many ways for which I can point to myself as the model. And even for this one my wife would not agree that I am.
The fact is that she and I are incompatible when it comes to shopping. Either one or both of us ends up dissatisfied when we shop together.
I admit that she’s smarter and wiser that I am, and that she usually is the one who’s right when we disagree.
But when it comes to shopping, I think I have the better approach.
Here’s the difference:
Once we’ve found what we’re looking for, she wants to look further and I want to make the purchase and get out of the store.
Her argument has some validity: we may find an even better bargain. But mine says: we’ve found what we came for; let’s move on.
My point in all this isn’t to pick a fight with my wife, especially publicly. It’s to make an application to marriage. And I know she’ll agree with it.
The whole shopping thing is just laying the groundwork for an analogy. You probably know where I’m going with this.
Once you’ve found your mate, stop shopping.
This seems like a no-brainer, but there are those who don’t shift out of shopping mode once they’re married. And the spirit that hates God and all His ways and His creation beckons us all to keep searching for what we already have. Don’t be content with what God has provided, it says, but look around and see what else there may be. Isn’t that pretty much what the serpent said to Eve? She and Adam had been provided the most complete garden ever, yet they decided to shop for the forbidden.
Husbands and wives of our age have the same enemy that attacked with lies in that ancient garden, and he still uses the same alluring invitation: look over here. It’s even better than what God has provided.
But it isn’t, it never was and it never will be.
Now I may still lose the shopping debate; I wouldn’t be surprised, given my history, but we all win when we choose to be content with what God has provided. And in case you don’t see your spouse as the one God provided, remember Jesus’ words, whatever God has joined together let no person separate. If you’re married, His will for you is to be married to your current spouse. Pray for help and be content with loving your spouse.
And no more shopping!
