March 16, 2025
Unaligned Unitarian Church of Dryer, Massachusetts

Dear friends and members of our beloved community,

Today, I invite you into a reflection on the nature of relationships—how we cultivate them, how we nurture them, and the moral responsibilities they entail. I want to explore the story of a woman who entered a marriage with an expectation of ease and comfort, but whose choices led to a painful unraveling of the bonds that once united her and her partner.

This woman believed she could marry and live a life free from the burdens of work, relying solely on her husband to provide for their family. While this expectation may seem familiar to some, the reality of human relationships reminds us that love, commitment, and partnership are not one-sided; they require the effort and intention of both individuals.

As time passed and challenges arose, her husband faced financial struggles. Instead of coming together in support and solidarity, seeking to uplift one another in their shared challenges, she made the choice to step outside their marriage and engage in infidelity. This betrayal cuts deeply, disrupting trust and respect—the very foundation of any lasting relationship.

In our Unitarian Universalist tradition, we emphasize the importance of integrity, honesty, and mutual respect. When one partner strays, not only is the bond broken, but the emotional pain inflicted resonates throughout the family. We know that relationships are built on trust, and when that trust is shattered, it can lead to a cycle of hurt and resentment.

Now, as life continued to throw challenges their way, the woman decided to embrace a new religion—one that demanded strict adherence and expected her husband to follow suit. In our free and open faith, we understand the significance of personal growth and exploration. But spiritual exploration should never be a mechanism of control or coercion. It should be an invitation, a gentle encouragement to walk a shared path, respecting the autonomy of each individual’s personal journey.

When the pressures of life forced her to step into the workforce, it was an opportunity for both partners to adapt, to reforge their partnership with empathy and understanding. Instead, she distanced herself further, abandoning her commitment and ultimately leading to divorce. In a time when collaboration and teamwork were necessary, she chose division and animosity.

After the divorce, her actions took a darker turn as she sought to manipulate the emotions of her children, poisoning their perceptions of their father. In our community, we believe deeply in the sacred responsibility of parenting—shaping young hearts and minds with love, compassion, and respect. To alienate a child from a parent is to undermine everything we cherish about familial love. Our children deserve to see their parents showing kindness and respect toward one another, even amidst conflict.

As we reflect on this story, it serves as a powerful reminder of the moral obligations we carry in our relationships. We are called to cultivate compassion, to seek understanding, and to support one another through the storms of life. Our actions have consequences, not only for ourselves but also for those we love.

It is vital to recognize that even when we falter, we are capable of growth and renewal. We learn from our choices, however painful, and we have the capacity to embrace forgiveness, both for ourselves and others. We can strive to engage in conversations that heal rather than harm, to build bridges rather than walls.

In our community, we celebrate the power of love—and love, my friends, demands that we extend grace to one another and ourselves. If we can embrace accountability for our actions and forge paths toward healing, we can redefine our relationships in meaningful ways.

Let us go forth today, honoring the bonds we share as partners, parents, and friends. May we approach each relationship with a spirit of understanding and compassion, striving to uplift one another as we navigate this complex journey of life together.

Amen.