Apron Strings
By Bob Kaku
I have often heard that the first year of marriage is difficult—ours was no exception. Adjustments in living habits, meeting each other’s needs and expectations, and family obligations were just a few of the challenges.
Shortly after our first anniversary, Gail and I attended a business fellowship banquet. During the prayer time, a soft voice echoed inside me. Which way is it—your way or Mine?
My concentration was shattered. I somehow knew that the Lord was speaking to me about my marriage and lack of honesty.
“What’s wrong?” Gail asked.
I snapped out of my reverie to muffled voices and the clinking of silverware on china plates.
Before we married, I owned two parcels of real estate—a primary residence and a rental. I led Gail into believing that I had bought everything on my own. I was ashamed to tell her that I borrowed a substantial amount of money from my parents for the down payments.
When we arrived home, I blurted everything out to her. She shot me a scathing look that incinerated my confidence. “Why did you lie to me? You broke our trust!” Rivulets of tears flowed down her cheeks. “You listen to your mom more than to me. It’s because you owe your parents so much money!”
During this time, I had difficulty dividing my attention between my wife and my mom who lived nearby. That put me in an awkward spot, because I was taught to respect my parents.
Gail’s rebuke blasted me like a double-barreled shotgun. I had no rebuttal. She viewed my inaction as being tied to my mom’s apron strings.
Not knowing what else to do, I prayed in utter desperation. “Lord, help! I followed Your prompting and received nothing but grief in return. I could have kept the borrowed money hidden indefinitely. My parents weren’t expecting repayment.”
In the next few days, Gail’s countenance softened. “You must have prayed really hard,” she said. “Something unexplainable happened to me last night. All the anger I had toward you lifted, and my love for you renewed. Jesus healed me.”
Gail had a significant amount of savings that she accumulated before we married. We used her money to pay back my parents.
I began to balance my family obligations, giving my wife higher priority. When I took that step of faith, the “apron strings” snapped, and I became fully united with my wife.
“This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” (Matthew 19:5 NLT)
An excerpt from the book Popcorn Miracles® by Bob and Gail Kaku. Used by permission.
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