Keep the bulb, burn down the house

In a world where convenience often triumphs over commitment, it's easy to adopt a throwaway mentality. From disposable goods to fleeting relationships, the notion of "out with the old, in with the new" permeates our culture. But what happens when this attitude seeps into the most sacred of unions—marriage? 

Imagine this scenario: a flickering light bulb casts a dim glow in a room, barely illuminating the space. The immediate reaction might be to reach for the matches and set the whole house ablaze. Time for a new house! Woohoo! 

Yet, amidst the dim glow, there lies a simple solution—replace the bulb. 

In the same thought, when challenges arise in marriage, the knee-jerk reaction shouldn't be to burn the entire relationship to the ground and move into a new house. Instead, we must recognize that sometimes all it takes is fixing the "bulb"—addressing the issues head-on, rather than succumbing to the temptation of throwing it all away. 

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5 

Faulty bulbs and common pitfalls in marriage…. 

Forgiveness ungranted; The burnt-out bulb. 

Just as a burnt-out bulb ceases to fulfill its purpose, withholding forgiveness can dim the light of love in a marriage. Grudges and resentments build up, casting shadows on the once bright bond between partners. Instead of discarding the relationship, we must cultivate a culture of forgiveness, allowing the light of compassion to shine through. Give grace as grace has been, and surely still is, given to you. 

Hurts held in; The flickering bulb. 

A flickering bulb signifies an underlying issue—perhaps a loose connection or faulty wiring. Similarly, unresolved hurts and unexpressed emotions can cause the foundation of a marriage to tremble. Rather than ignoring the flicker and allowing it to escalate into darkness, couples must communicate openly and address the root causes of pain. You must agree, mutually, to be a safe space for vulnerability. Then the flicker can be replaced with a steady, unwavering glow. 

Bad habits; The faulty bulb socket 

Just as a faulty bulb socket can cause repeated bulb failures (no we still should not burn down the house for a new one!), established bad habits can erode the joy and comfort of a marriage over time. Whether it's neglecting quality time together or failing to prioritize each other's needs, these habits threaten to extinguish the flame of love. However, by recognizing and actively working to replace these negative patterns with positive ones, couples can ensure that the light of their love continues to shine brightly. 

In essence, "burn the house down, keep the bulb" serves as a poignant reminder that in the face of adversity, we must resist the urge to "buy a new house". Instead, let us commit to nurturing our marriages, one "bulb" at a time. By embracing forgiveness, fostering open communication, and replacing bad habits with healthy ones, we can ensure that the light of love continues to illuminate our lives, even in the darkest of times. After all, the strongest marriages are not those without flaws, but those where both partners are committed to fixing them together, one flicker at a time. 

Until next time, stay Anchored in Love & Guided by Faith! 

Perfectly Imperfect, 

Sam & Ron