Just a random little rant...

Okay...so I know that I haven't been great about keeping fresh new things posted on here. Sorry about that. But I have one for today.

While watching GMA this morning, I caught the tail end of a story talking about a guy who is blaming Jerry Seinfield and his show, "The Marriage Ref," for his divorce.

Really? I mean, come on...REALLY?!?!?!

Well, I just had to look it up and get the full story. So here's the quick version.

He and his wife were on the first show, and the argument was that he wouldn't wear his wedding ring when he went out with the guys. I remember seeing that episode, and, to be honest, I thought they were both ridiculous. Anyway...

According to this guy, the show actually took the "argument" and blew it up into something way bigger than it was. Apparently, he only took his ring off when he played basketball with the guys. Not when he was going out for a guys night out. Whatever.

He also claims that the producers of the show kept making comments about how good his wife looked, and that she was so pretty, that they thought she had beautiful lips, etc. Somehow, THIS is what caused his divorce. After the show was taped, the wife decided that she wanted to pose for Playboy, and it was said that they almost didn't air the show because of some provocative photos that she posted online.

Yeah...Seinfield made her do all of that.

Really???

Please, people! Take responsibility!!!

We all know that reality tv rarely shows true REALITY, so it's really no shock that the producers wanted to rev up the story to make it sound a little juicier. But to blame it for the ruin of your marriage is a bit of a stretch.

The spotlight of tv and the quest for celebrity will add stress. Financial problems will add stress. Life will add stress. But this show wasn't the CAUSE. The show simply added stress that made the cracks that were already present more visable.

I am by no means an expert on marriage. After all, I have only been married for 10 years, and the two of us are still learning as we go. But the one thing that I have figured out is that marriage takes work. It's not always going to feel like you're on your honeymoon.

We're human.
We're different.
We're flawed.

But when you take the time to put effort into your marriage, you can keep things moving in the right direction. How can you tell that everything is going to work out? How can you know that you will be together forever? I don't know.

All I know is that I ask God for guidance daily.

I pray for His continued blessing on our marriage.
I pray that He will help us learn to build each other up instead of tear each other down.
I pray that He will show us how to love each other, even when we aren't feeling like it.
I pray for wisdom. In raising our son. In choosing our battles. In making choices for our family.
I pray that he will mold me into the wife He wants me to be.
I pray for my husband, and that he is becoming the man God wants him to be.
I pray for other marriages. That they will be strengthened.

I am only human, and I am not now, nor do I think I ever will be, and expert on marriage. But I know that my marriage is important to me, and I will do everything within my power to make it last.

I hope that you feel the same way about your relationships.

Jon and Kate...

Okay...so there are blogs and web pages dedicated to the family of the hit reality show Jon and Kate Plus 8. Honestly, I have never seen a full episode, and would never classify myself as an avid fan. I would also never say that I am a qualified marriage counselor, but I feel that there are things that need to be said.

I hurt when I see marriages falling apart. My heart breaks for Jon and Kate, and the many, many others who are dealing with similar issues in their marriages. It's easy to point a finger and blame one spouse or the other, but what good does that do? NONE!

I can remember back to high school, when our pastor talked about the main causes of divorce. At that time, the two main causes sited were sex and money. Couples often complain about both, and it's either too much or not enough of them. Sadly, it looks like it may have hit Jon and Kate as well.

I'm not putting the full blame on Kate (as many in the media are doing), but I have to wonder if she has just gotten too caught up with the fame and money involved with the show. Money can change people, and it's not always for good. If you look back at the pictures taken when the show began, Kate doesn't even look like the same person.

On the other hand, Jon didn't seem to hate it too much. He isn't doing book tours, or dodging paparazzi, but he was there the entire time. A silent spectator in his own life. He admitted as much. He told us all that he has found his power again, and is trying to put his foot down. Well...good for you Jon, but it may be too late. It's kind of like raising kids. You can't let them do everything they want to do, never punish them for bad behavior and spoil them rotten for years and years and then wake up one morning and think, "I'm going to put my foot down now!" It just doesn't work that way.

But enough of my ramblings about the marriage of Jon and Kate. I can't make a fully educated observation. I wasn't there. In fact...no one was. It's between Jon and Kate. The cameras caught a glimpse, but we all know that editing has been done. And, in true form, media has taken what they want to see and hear, and made a story with it. My fear is that Jon and Kate are getting whisked away in the drama created by fame, money, and celebrity.

I'm not one to give up easily when it comes to the what I feel is important in my life, and I can only pray that Jon and Kate won't give up either. They have an opportunity in front of them. They can be a gleaming example of how marriages that struggle can recover. Yes, people change over time. We can grow, from our experiences.

I guess you can count this as my plea to Jon and Kate:

Don't throw in the towel just yet. Don't let the media dictate your life. If your marriage is important to you, and I pray that it is, work together to try and mend the cracks. Seek out wise counsel. PRAY. Individually and together. I know that marriages sometimes end, but I truly believe that they can be mended as well.

God, give Jon and Kate the wisdom they need in the days to come. Strip away all of the chaos that comes with fame and celebrity. Bring them back to the basics of their marriage. Mend their hearts as well, as they have been hurt and have hurt each other. Protect the children from all of the venom that has been spewed through the media. Guard their hearts. And, God, I ask the same for all those who are in similar situations. Place your healing hands on the marriages of this country...of this world. All for Your glory. - Amen