Love and Marriage – Day 31 of the Love Dare. Without “leaving” you cannot do the “cleaving” you need, the joining of your hearts that’s required to walk as one.
Day 31 – Love And Marriage
“A man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife,
and they shall become one flesh” ~ Genesis 2:24
THE DARE – Is there a “leaving” issue with your parent or someone else you haven’t been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to you spouse today, and resolve to make it right. The oneness of your marriage is dependent upon it. Follow this with a commitment to your spouse and to God to make your marriage the top priority over every other human relationship.
Marriage changes everything. And couples who don’t take this “leaving” and “cleaving” message to heart will reap the consequences down the line, when the problems are much harder to repair without hurting someone.
Leaving your parents and becoming one with your spouse
“Leaving” means that you are breaking a natural tie. Your parents now step into the role of counselors to be respected but are no longer authorities who tell you what to do. Many newlyweds have a hard time leaving their parents behind. The grown child must make “leaving” a courageous choice of his own.
The purpose of “leaving” is to establish and preserve the unique oneness that marriage is designed to capture. If you’re too tightly bound to your parents, if they or your in-laws are allowed to dictate and make demands, the independent identity of your marriage that God desires will not be able to come to flower. You will always be held back, and a root of division will continue to send up weeds into your relationship.
Without “leaving” you cannot do the “cleaving” you need
Your greater loyalty must shift from your parents to your spouse. It must also shift away from old flames and old friends to your mate. Everyone else must take a backseat. For without “leaving” you cannot do the “cleaving” you need, the joining of your hearts that’s required to experience oneness.
“Cleaving” carries the idea of catching someone by pursuit, clinging to them as your new help and support. This union should form a oneness that can benefit everything else you do. This man is now the spiritual leader of your new home, tasked with the responsibility of providing for you, protecting you, and loving you. This woman is now one in union with you, called to help, beautifully complete, and uniquely support you as one who chooses to respect her husband.
The majesty of unity and the decision to make you “one” in marriage by God, was intentional, beautiful, eternal, and can make anything possible.
So leave. And cleave. And dare to walk as one!!