From Devotion
Her hand was draped against the armrest of the chair where she sat. When she felt the warm brush and squeeze of Kellen taking slow possession, she didn’t open her eyes but she went tense. Part of her wanted to refute him. Boyishly charming and sweet, authentic, his efforts today felt as though he were attempting to court her all over again.
Thoughts
There’s such beauty to marital intimacy. Not just in a physical sense, but in an emotional sense as well. Finishing one another’s sentences; carrying parallel thoughts into fruitful actions as a united ‘one flesh’ body of Christ.
In rebuilding their relationship, there are both physical and emotional instances when Kellen longs to connect to Juliet all over again, like they used to—before…Chloe. Before a fall to temptation.
But as Kellen and Juliet learn, when steps are taken away from a relationship, when intimacy is broken, you’re not meant to be like you were before, you’re meant to begin anew. Their marriage becomes redefined, but moves forward toward a new era of intimacy. That can't happen, though, until the barriers come down.
Discuss the ways in which you, or someone you know, have rebuilt a relationship that has fallen apart. How did the barriers come down? If they haven’t come down, what has kept them in place, and do you see ways in which intimacy might return?
Scriptural Contemplation/Reflection:
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
These verses of Scripture might be familiar to you no matter what your belief or where you stand in your spiritual walk. You’ve probably heard this passage read at weddings, anniversary parties. This time, read them slowly, and let them sink in. These are holy instructions from God about the very topic of love, courtship and intimacy. Discuss the way these words touch your heart, and what they mean in the relationship you share with your spouse.
Pray about what you discover.
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24(NIV)
Posts
I've often told my husband, some of my favorite moments of intimacy come when we simply rest together, snuggle, chat quietly, pray and savor the fact that we have one another to hold on to. In moments like that I realize our relationship - with all of its ups and downs - is a precious gift from God.
ReplyDeleteI loved the trailer. Sadly, my marriage ended b/c my husband wouldn't let his barriers
ReplyDeletedown and work on things that needed to be worked on for us to proceed.
Intinacy - into-me-you-see - it scares a lot of people.
I'm so glad you stopped by, Word Actress. Be assured of loving prayers - and ugh---those barriers---they're NEVER easy! <3 I hear you on the intimacy issue being scary. It's complete vulnerability. Blessings to you!!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby and I are completely best friends and right now, he's my hero as always, getting me through a thorough thrashing of my confidence, totally with me as I reconsider options and paths before me. But a close friend is reeling from the hypocritical creep of a husband who walked out after 25 years and has absolutely and revoltingly hurt their son. He's the kind of person who should read stuff like this and sadly, never will. Good one, Marianne, as always.
ReplyDelete