do it yourself

So Nathan and I are trying to save money where we can. As Christmas approaches we are trying to find creative ways to give thoughtful gifts to those we love while saving money at this same time. I decided to google "do it yourself christmas gifts" to get some ideas. You know how often in a search bar as you type it gives you options of what you might possibly be looking for? Well as I was typing "do it yourself" options came up such as "do it yourself network," "do it yourself wedding," "do it yourself halloween costumes." And then the one that SHOCKED me. "Do it yourself divorce." ARE YOU KIDDING ME??

Out of curiosity, I clicked on this option to see if it was really for real. Sure enough, 797,000 results appeared before my widened eyes.
-3stepdivorce.com: "$299. No Lawyer. 100% Reliable."
-divorcenet.com: "A Do it Yourself Divorce is completed without using a lawyer."
-OurDivorceAgreement.com: Premium, online do-it-yourself divorce site saves money , time and sanity.
...and 796,997 other sites to help you divorce your spouse, the one you vowed to love and care for forever. Quick, easy and clean. With the snap of a finger.

Is it really that easy?? Well no wonder the divorce rates are so high! One source reports 50% percent of first marriages, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end in divorce. Other sources say the average divorce rate is at 43%, with first marriages at 41%, second marriages at 60%, and third marriages at 73%. WOW. No matter which statistic you look at, they are all HIGH. Very high. Too high.

This is not what the Lord intended. He did not intend for two individuals to commit their lives to each other, and then a few years down the road, get online and do a "do it yourself divorce." Jesus said in Mark 10, "FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."

One flesh. Let no man separate.

Marriage is a life-long commitment. It is not something to be taken lightly, or left quickly. When I was writing my vows to my husband, I took A LOT of time to think about them, to put my heart and soul into them. And I meant every word I said to him in our wedding day. I am commited to him. We are now husband and wife; one flesh. We will undoubtedly have hard times, trying times. But we will work through them. No matter what it takes. I think often times people just give up to easy. Or they aren't willing to put forth the effort to save their marriage (and often times it may take A LOT of effort). I know this can be a very touchy subject...often there are many different factors involved when it comes to a couple opting for divorce. It's just heartbreaking to me how often it happens...and apparently how easily it happens.

Well, back to searching for "do it yourself christmas gifts..."