Hosea 6:1-7

“Come, let us return to the Lord.
 He has torn us to pieces;
 now he will heal us.
 He has injured us;
 now he will bandage our wounds.

2 In just a short time he will restore us,
 so that we may live in his presence.

3 Oh, that we might know the Lord!
 Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
 or the coming of rains in early spring.”

4“O Israel[a] and Judah,
 what should I do with you?” asks the Lord.
“For your love vanishes like the morning mist
 and disappears like dew in the sunlight.

5 I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces—
 to slaughter you with my words,
 with judgments as inescapable as light.

6 I want you to show love,[b]
  not offer sacrifices.
I want you to know me[c]
 more than I want burnt offerings.

7 But like Adam,[d] you broke my covenant
 and betrayed my trust.

When we purchased our fixer upper colonial style house in 2006 we were excited to have a much larger eat in kitchen than our previous home. But, to be honest, we really, really, really didn’t like the country style cabinets, worn out appliances, broken countertop or faux stone vinyl flooring. However, due to a limited budget, we were only able to replace and update a few items on our “to do” list before we moved in. In the 8 years since, we completed several more cosmetic changes until we recently decided it was time to tear the room to pieces and remodel.

Last week we stripped the popcorn off the ceiling (NOT a fun job…I highly don’t recommend it!) and hired a contractor to rip out the cabinets, patch sheet rock and lay ceramic tile flooring. In a short time, cabinets and countertops will be installed, and the room will be restored. Not only will it be a functional working place to prepare meals, but a beautiful space to gather with family and friends around the table.

When our marriage hit its breaking point in 2001, Doug and I scrambled to make a few cosmetic changes to our relationship. But, it didn’t take long for us to discover that God, in His loving kindness, intended to cut our pride and disobedience to pieces. To be honest, we really, really, really didn’t like the entire process. Yet, Our Father, in His infinite wisdom, knew that in our hearts, we were merely offering sacrifices and burnt offerings… and not loving Him and knowing Him the way that He desires.

The restoration of our marriage seemed to take longer than “a short time,” but, when we look back over those years of being torn and injured, we realize in view of eternity, His promises came rather quickly. Not only has our relationship been restored, we function much better than we used to and our love for one another has become more beautiful than the day we said “I do.”

Broken marriages take time to be healed, but time alone heals nothing. Returning to the Lord in humility with a heart of repentance and allowing Him to bandage your wounds does. And once you have been restored to your first love, you can live in His presence and truly know Him. Only then will you be able to be restored to your second love…. and the two of you become one flesh.

Genesis 2:24

24 For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother, and will be joined to his wife. And they will become one flesh.