On my heart

I saw a disturbing commercial today. It started out with a seemingly happy couple sitting across a dining table from one another with their hands intertwined. The voice in the background was talking about marriage and commitment and how much people work on relationships. Then he said something to the effect of, "But sometimes it just doesn't work out." And across the screen was the phone number of local divorce lawyers.

The part of my day most contrasting to this commercial was my drive home from class tonight. I had (surprise, surprise) the new Nichole Nordeman CD on in my car. I've been listening to this for a couple weeks, but there are some songs that I listen to more closely than others. One of the songs that I didn't truly pay attention to until tonight is called "We Build." tt is so poetic and such a beautiful picture of marriage.

We Build
It's bigger than we thought
It's taller than it ought to be
This pile of rubble and ruins

The neighbors must talk
It's the worst yard on the block
Just branches and boards where walls stood

Did it seem to you
Like the storm just knew
We weren't quite finished with the roof
When it started?

So we build
We build
We clear away what was and make room for what will be
If you hold the nails, I'll take the hammer
I'll hold it still, if you'll climb the ladder
If you will, then I will, build

On any given day
We could simply walk away
And let someone else hold the pieces

The lie that we tell
Says it's better somewhere else
As if love flies south when it freezes

What I'm trying to say
In some clumsy way
Is that it's you and only you for always

What I'm trying to say
In some clumsy way
Is that it's you and only you, not just for now, not just today
But it's you and only you for always

So you hold the nails, I'll take the hammer
I'll hold it still, if you'll climb the ladder
If you will, then I will, build


I am blessed with a great "building" partner in Dan. But I'm not naive. It's very true that sometimes the hammer accidentally hits the hand that holds the nails. We get out of sync. But we pick up our tools, give each other a hug, and proceed with the building. We just need to be consistent and deliberate about building. I know stuff gets hard, but I know that I will never get to a place where a divorce lawyer is the only way out.

So, this is the lighter side of all of the weddings we have this summer! To see the beginnings of the building. And to bless the start of their journey.