Drift

It once was part of something bigger.... but now it is drifting out to sea, slowing melting away.   This analogy is going to fall apart about as quickly as a glacier in the tropics - but go with it for a second, and then we can head back to dry land.  

If an iceberg is not an iceberg, but part of the polar ice cap, life it good.  It it part of something bigger than itself, and while there may be a bit of erosion around the edges from time to time, overall it can weather any storm.

Once a chuck breaks off, it's destiny is changed.  It is only a matter of time before it melts away.  It cannot sustain itself.  As it floats into open waters, it is doomed.

In marriage, the flip side of wanting what is best for the other, of striving to fill their marital tank - is watching out for drift.  I have no statistics, but I guarantee you that drift kills more marriages than cheating.  Drift kills more marriages than a sudden crisis.  Drift kills.  Little by little a couple isn't as close as they once were.  The jobs are demanding, the schedules get full, family has their expectations - and a few years down the road "I don't love you," "I don't know you," or "I want more," is spoken.

It starts here, and can stay here, but drift kills

The iceberg image speaks strongly to the feeling of isolation once the drift has begun - but it doesn't really work because we cause drift by the decisions we make.  While it is easy to claim "it just happened..." It happens because of what we do.  But the good news is; we have control.  Once a berg is free it is at the mercy of the currents.  Each of us on the other hand can note the drift in our relationship, and push back together.  A slight drift apart can easily be compensated for (date night, romantic weekend, taking a walk together), but even a drift which has been unattended to for a long time isn't beyond hope.  There is power to bring the two back together as one.  The currents of our culture often drive couples apart, but if we keep an eye out for drift, we have the power to overcome these currents - to be united.

Where do you see drift in your relationship?  How can you come back together?


PS.  Sometimes drift has gone so far that it would take a miracle to bring the two back together.  The great news is that God still works miracles.  Never be afraid to pray for what seems impossible.