Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. (Ephesians 5:25)
Over the years, I’ve been known to stop in frequently for a Venti cup of coffee at Starbucks. I’ve stopped in so often, I typically get on a first name basis with the baristas. One lady has worked there so long, we’ve moved beyond chats about coffee or the frigid MN weather to various things (good or bad – from health issues or the birth of her grandchildren).
A couple days ago, in an extreme rarity, I stopped in with Dee. It pleasantly caught this barista off guard, and I said “Today, I decided to bring my better half with me!!!” The three of us got to talking for a few minutes and it led to me asking how many years she had worked at Starbucks. I expected just a number (16), but she went on to share with both of us that she had only planned to work there for a short time, but needed to stay on for so long because her husband of many years decided to leave her for another woman (and she needed the health benefits).
It left me heartbroken and it’s been weighing on my heart ever since. I share this here as an encouragement to love your spouse (rejecting all others), just as Christ loved us. And for those left picking up the pieces from a path poorly chosen (like this barista), I pray one day you find peace and forgiveness in your hearts, just as in Christ, God forgave us.