I recently read a letter from a women name Michelle, as related by authors Gary and Barbara Roseberg.  It was such a clear reminder of how vulnerable we are.  When that is combined with carelessness, the results can be devastating.  I want to share that letter here today.

 

“I helped lead a Bible study for women facing marital struggles.  I saw these women through pain in their marriages and even separations.  But I was different.  I was faithful and true.

When we finally purchased a computer, I found that the Internet contained so many interesting places.  I could look up vacation spots, read newspapers.  These were all good things, nothing evil.  I never realized that I was only a click away from destruction.

One day I signed up for a chat room.  I chose a clean one, not a porn room.  I wanted to just go in and see what was going on.  Almost immediately a man began talking to me.  He paid attention to me and had and insightful responses to every word I wrote.

I continued to meet this man in the chat room, even though I knew it was wrong.  The relationship seemed innocent.  We just talked about family and life.  Soon we progressed to phone calls.  I loved communicating with him.  He cared so much.

After some time, we decided to meet.  We were in love, or so we thought.  After telling my husband I was meeting some girlfriends, I took off and hooked up with this man for what I thought would be a romantic weekend getaway.  It wasn’t at all what I expected, and suddenly everything came crashing down.  I had betrayed my husband and my family.

My careless involvement with the Internet nearly destroyed my marriage.  I became addicted, and it eventually led to an affair.  I have regretted the day when, with one click on the mouse, I entered a downward spiral of sin and deception.  I failed to build a fence of protection around my marriage.  I didn’t guard my heart.”

There is not much I need to say as the powerful story stands on its own.  My tip today is simple – I encourage you to ponder this question – How do you need to guard your heart to best protect your marriage?