I have heard the stories, met the people, listened to the complaints, the issues.  People that come to Jesus and find out that He doesn’t do things the way that they want.  In bitterness, anger, discouragement and frustration, they walk away from Him, returning once again to the life they knew before.

I’m here to tell you that Jesus disappoints.  He lets you down.  He fails you when you least expect it.  And if He didn’t, He wouldn’t be God.  Does that shock you?  Are you starting to think I’m a heretic?

Marriage brings two people to live together in Holy Matrimony.  Two lives are forever joined, inseparable even when there is divorce.  To make it through life together, there is one simple rule, hang on.  Don’t give up, don’t quit, don’t turn away. 

We are welcoming a new member to our household and it makes me shake my head.  Who would want to be a part of the craziness that goes on around here?  We are often looked at as a very healthy family but I see the anger, the cutting words, the selfishness, the ISSUES.  And, when it comes down to it, I’ve come to realize that we are healthy.  We love.  We have room to love more as we open our hearts to more children, more families, more spouses for our kids, more grandkids.

“Love covers a multitude of sins,” the bible tells us.  It doesn’t erase them.  It doesn’t keep them from happening.  It covers them.  You are welcome, even though you are flawed.

So, I return to those who have walked away.  Jesus, God does not do what we want.  He disappoints and fails because He doesn’t act on our commands, our fleeting whimsies.  He lets us down when we think we can control Him, manipulate Him, coerce Him.  He is God.  And He welcomes us, He accepts us as His own.

We would do well to trust Him…to hang on.