Counselor, help!

Matt. 6: 7 But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do...s

You be the counselor. Your friends Tallie and Mac ask for your help. They have been married for a year now, but are not enjoying it. Although they both swear undying love for each other, their relationship is dying. “Do you still love each other?” “Oh yes, we do”. “Is there somebody else in the picture?” “No, there is nobody else.” “Is there…?” “ No”. “Do you…?” “No”. There seems to be no problem, but they have a problem.

When you spend a week with them you notice they are nice to each other. Every morning they greet each other, “Good morning, Sweetheart. Did you sleep well?” Good morning, Dear. Yes, I did. Did you?” “Yes thanks. Breakfast is ready”. While Mac eats, Tallie gets ready for work. By the time she is ready, he is going through the door. “Have a nice day, Sweetheart”. SMOOCH! “You too, Dear”. They are gone.

In the evening Tallie is home early. Dinner is ready when Mac comes home late. SMOOCH! “How was your day, Sweetheart?” Fine, thanks. How was yours?” “Great. Ready to eat?” “In a minute”. He goes to wash his hands. He watches the TV as he eats, yawning occasionally. When he gets up from the table, he sits before the TV. Tallie is in the bedroom doing…whatever. By the time he wakes up and goes to bed she is asleep. This happens routinely every day. Now, do you see a problem? What will you say to them?

They have at least one clear problem. There is no meaningful communication. First of all, apparently, they are both so busy, they do not spend enough time together to really communicate. Second, when they do communicate, they say the same things over and over until they hardly have any meaning any more. If they continue like that, the relationship will die.

Is your relationship with God what it should be? Do you feel dissatisfied and wonder why? Could the problem be the same as Tallie and Mac have? Do you spend enough quality time with Jesus, or do you squeeze Him in between school, work, TV, friendships…? When you speak with Him, do you find that your conversations are short, and that you repeat the same things over and over each time? That what you say is so boring that even you fall asleep? Maybe it’s time to prioritize your time with God and talk to Him as to a friend. Try it. It works.

Dear Lord, I’m so sorry for not relating to you as I should. Help me now as I try to change the way I relate to you, in Jesus’ name, amen.