I'm Not Going Anywhere!
Years ago I saw a drama/musical at Willow Creek Community Church called Stuff which walked through the seasons of a couple's relationship. In it, the couple started out loving how opposite and different they were. But as the musical moved through their seasons of life, these same differences started becoming points of frustration and conflict. They became selfish and started to think they would be better off if the marriage ended. In a poignant moment where neither of them knew the outcome, he looked at her and said, "All I know is that I am not going anywhere."

We see commitment when Solomon writes about love "nor will rivers overflow it" (Song 8:7).  His love is committed to "staying" when life and circumstances are tough. Over my 30+ years of marriage, there have been some rough days filled with situations of pain, hurt, confusion, and/or doubt (mostly about myself).  But leaving these "situations" would never have made anything better or easier beyond the moment.

In Chip Ingram’s book Love, Sex, and Lasting Relationships he says, "There may be times when you will think, 'I feel like this relationship is hopeless. I'm disillusioned. I'm really struggling.' God's prescription doesn't say that you can't have those feelings from time to time. But it simply won't allow you to conclude, 'Well, maybe I've got the wrong person.' If those little doubts aren't challenged and crushed, they start to undermine your commitment."

I'm not going anywhere means that I'm going to keep working on my marriage and I am going to stay fully engaged with my heart, my will, and my schedule.  I'm not leaving physically, emotionally, or spiritually. "I'm stuck" in all the best ways because I made a vow before God and to my spouse which means I am staying and I expect and need God to help me keep my promises! Whisper that to your mate, write it in cards, and live like someone who is not going anywhere but home!