TAKING
A BREAK

Topics: Apathy; Commitment; Communication; Indifference; Intimacy; Love; Marriage; Spouses

References: Proverbs 18:22; Ephesians 5:25–33; Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7; Revelation 3:15–16

A businessman moved over slightly as a young man crowded into the airplane seat next to him. As they both fastened their seat belts, the businessman good-naturedly asked whether the young man was traveling on business or pleasure.

“Pleasure,” the young man replied. “I’m on my honeymoon.”

“Your honeymoon?” the businessman asked, mystified. “Where’s your wife?”

“Oh, she’s a few rows back. The plane was full, so we couldn’t get seats together.”

The plane hadn’t started rolling yet, so the businessman said, “I’d be happy to change seats with her so that the two of you can be together.”

“That’s OK,” the young man replied. “I’ve been talking to her all week.”

—Gary Thomas, Sacred Marriage (Zondervan, 2000)