She’s an icon, just barely out of her teens. He’s an icon, still in his teens. All those who meet the couple say they are charming, intelligent, gracious.

What went wrong? And why are they back together?

Suzie, that’s love. They are back together because they love and need each other.

No, it’s really not. Because love is kind. Love is self-control. Love builds each other up. Love is lots of things, but it’s not battering the person you care about with words or fists.

So, what can we learn from this? No one gets to hit you and say I love you in the same day. Even if they appear amazing on the outside, if the inside is shallow or broken, that will only widen like a river unless it’s mended by God.   

And you aren’t God.

You can’t fix another person. You can’t love them into wholeness, or do the right thing enough times so that they’ll stop hitting you.

Some helpful numbers if you are being abused:

Youth Crisis Line – 1-800-448-4663

Domestic Abuse/Assault 1-800-333-SAFE (24 hrs)

Covenant House Crisis Support 1-800-999-9999 (24 hrs)