Ungluing Hurts

Read: Ephesians 5:1-2, 21-33 Hailey knew she should ask for help before trying out her new manicure set, but she couldn’t wait. She needed something to take her mind off the bad day she’d had. She spilled the glittery nails onto her desk, and without bothering to read the directions, she grabbed the glue and unscrewed it. “What’s wrong with this glue?” she muttered as the watery liquid squirted out of the tiny spout. She shook it, wondering why it wasn’t thick like school glue. Shrugging, she held it against her fingernail and squeezed out a generous amount. She pressed one of the nails onto the glue, which seeped out the edges and down her finger. Moments later, Mom walked in. “Oh! You’re already trying those out? Be careful with that glue!” Hailey smiled, then frowned as she tried to pull her hand away from the table. “Help! My hand is stuck!” Mom groaned and rushed over to inspect. “I wished you’d asked me for help! This glue sticks really tight.” Hailey gulped back a sob. “It does? I think I used a lot!” Soon Hailey’s hand was free, but some of her fingers had lost patches of skin. She held up her bandaged fingers. “Mom, you know what this reminds me of?” “What’s that?” Mom asked. “The bad news I heard from Megan today,” Hailey said sadly. “Her parents are getting a divorce, and that’s a lot like getting my fingers unstuck from that table, only worse. Ungluing hurts!” “I’m sorry to hear about Megan’s parents,” Mom said as she sat down. “You’re right, divorce hurts much worse than trying to get that strong glue off your fingers. God created marriage as a picture of Christ and His church—the unity and love between a husband and wife is meant to show how much Jesus loves us. But divorce is a result of living in a world full of sin and broken relationships, and it hurts.” Hailey nodded. “Megan’s really upset, and both her parents are too.” “Maybe you can help Megan by reminding her how much Jesus loves her,” Mom said. “When broken relationships hurt us, He promises to comfort us and never leave us. Show her what that looks like by sticking by her as a friend.” Hailey looked at her bandaged fingers and nodded. –Rebekah Love Dorris How about you? Do you know someone who’s gone through the pain of a divorce? Maybe you’ve experienced divorce in your own family. Divorce hurts because it’s not God’s plan for marriage. If you’re experiencing the pain of divorce, remember that Jesus loves you and promises to never leave you. If a friend is dealing with divorce, point them to the love and comfort they can find in Jesus as you walk by their side. Today's Key Verse: Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. Ephesians 5:2 (NIV) Today's Key Thought: Divorce hurts