kylegilbert

Not only can familiarity have a negative impact on our marriages and friendships, it can have a similar impact on our relationship with our Heavenly Father.  Our relationship with God is not immune.  What once was a dynamic and thriving relationship with God can turn into something that is rote, programmatic, or at worst, legalistic.  Our deep love and gratitude for God’s grace can be lost in the busyness of life.

Just like our relationships with friends and spouses, there are simple steps we can take to start moving back in the right direction.  What is different is that God is always ready for us return to Him.  Unfortunately, human relationships often take some time to warm back up to the idea, but God is constantly pursuing us and desires that we share deep fellowship with Him.

Today I made a quick trip back to Fort Worth to participate in a rehearsal dinner and officiate a wedding. Although I feel very inadequate, I love doing weddings and spending time with the couple during the weeks leading up to the wedding. Most of the time, they’re very affectionate with one another, and they don’t care what anyone thinks. I love that!

It reminds me of when Keri and I first got married. We would constantly hold hands, hug, and kiss. Seeing it in the lives if others makes me regret every missed opportunity to treat my wife with that kind of affection today.

So why do things change? The complexity of having kids certainly plays a part, but I think the real culpret is familiarity.

Familiarity does a terrible thing to relationships, if you let it. It blinds you to the wonder of a husband or a wife or a friend. Irritations that would have been dismissed in the past become problems. Things that used to be special are overlooked. Acts of thoughtful kindness fall away.

But I don’t believe things have to stay this way. I believe the romance and fun can be recapatured, and I aspire to see my love and affection for my wife increase each year, beating back familiarity.

Here are a few questions for reflection: When was the last time I wrote my spouse a love note? What is the tone of my voice when I talk to my wife on the phone? Do I sound excited or bored? What can I do immediately to show my spouse how much I love her? What are some things we can do together to make sure that we battle against this beast of familiarity?