Kim Kardashian and the Minute Marriage

Explaining her divorce filing from NBA player Kris Humphries after only ten weeks of marriage, reality star Kim Kardashian released this statement: "I hope everyone understands this was not an easy decision. I had hoped this marriage was forever but sometimes things don't work out as planned." Court documents cite irreconcilable differences as the reason behind the divorce. Humphries seems upset by the filing, saying he is “devastated” and willing to work on the marriage.

Apparently, they had plenty of time to plan an elaborate made-for-television wedding, spending lavish amounts of money, but they don’t have time to plan their marriage and discuss the issues that are now irreconcilable.

What thinking in our culture has led to the “minute marriage” or even those that last longer but get no more effort to fix the problems than this one? What attitudes that devastate marriage are flourishing even in the church? Here are three thinking patterns I hear when I listen carefully.

Holding onto Hope in the Midst of Broken Reality

Life is tough; we face problems in relationships, careers, families, finances, and every other situation involved in living on this broken planet. God calls us to have hope and joy despite such challenges, even while we grieve and suffer and hurt. I am particularly challenged in the practicalities of having hope and believing that God can make the broken whole while at the same time not let it cut me right now. 

Maybe you relate. Perhaps your marriage is broken and your spouse has filed for divorce. Do you fight it or do you protect your future and what is rightfully yours? When do you simply accept a new reality and move forward? It could be that you have a life-threatening illness. Do you continue praying for healing when the treatment is failing or prepare your family for your death? How does hope work with the reality of life’s brokenness? How do we continue to trust God and show deep faith when reality suggests otherwise?

Wishing for the Easy Life

There are days when I wish for an easy life; I want to lie around and fall asleep at any time in any situation, just as my dogs do. They aren’t bothered by the worries and trials of life. Although they enjoy chasing various critters in the yard and alerting me to the dangers of anyone who walks down the front sidewalk, they immediately forget it and focus on the nap or food before them. They have servants (primarily me) to cater to their every wish for food, water, playmates, walks, and comfy places to sleep.

Why is life so hard for us? Why can’t we live like dogs? Three thoughts come quickly to mind.

The Little Guys (Texas Rangers and Us)

Congratulations, Rangers! I am so excited that the Texas Rangers are headed to the baseball playoffs again this year. When the team failed to sign free agent pitcher Cliff Lee last winter after he led them to wins in both the division series and the league championships, I wondered how they would fare this year.

I love the fact that they are back without a heralded ace. Their starting pitchers have been wonderful, far surpassing their efforts a year ago. The five consistent starters have all won 13 games or more this year. CJ Wilson has truly stepped up as their ace. It has been an amazing year with over 90 wins for only the 5^th time in team history.

So, how does this relate to our faith?

Rain for the Drought and for the Soul

Early last night we were surprised by a wonderful soaking rain at our house that lasted several hours. After dinner my husband and I simply sat outside for a couple of hours taking in the smells and sounds of a steady and refreshing rainfall. How thankful I am to God for his grace and goodness in providing this bit of relief for the parched ground and thirsty plants! I ask Him daily to provide large measures of unexpected rain all over Texas in His mercy, filling our drying lakes despite forecasts of continued drought in the coming months.

Our souls cry out for drink, much as the dry soil cries out for water. How can we seek and enjoy a soaking spiritual rain in the midst of busy schedules that zap the life out of our souls--a drought of the spirit?

Remembering 9/11

We all know exactly where we were when we first heard or saw the pictures of the smoking Twin Towers on September 11. I was about to head to work at the church when my husband called me and told me to turn on the television. I sat there in stunned silence barely comprehending what had happened; it seemed so surreal.

Several weeks later we flew to New England to see the beauty of the fall leaves. Everywhere we went, American flags were flying—on porches, barns, shops, restaurants, and fences. America was united by the threat of those who seek to destroy our people, our land, our faith, and our freedoms.

During my lifetime, I never recall another point when America sought God as we did then. The tragedy resulted in higher numbers of people in church and in prayer. When life is clearly out of our control—whether from sickness or disaster or war—we realize how much we depend upon God, our only hope for peace and protection and comfort.

What are my takeaways on the 10^th anniversary?

Musing on Multiple Disasters--Storms, Wildfires, Tornados

From the catastrophic tornadoes in Alabama and Missouri in the spring to the today’s aftermath of storms and the Texas wildfires, natural disasters have been big newsmakers this year. Thousands of people are homeless from floods and tornados. The Texas drought, a tragedy in itself to farmers and ranchers, has fueled the wildfires currently burning in dozens of places. At today's count more than 1000 homes have burned down so far.

I have been trying to process this biblically. Here are my thoughts and I would love to hear yours.