Pondering "One Call Away" by Charlie Puth

3 Thoughts on Why Relationships Fall Apart

When I was in college I was an expert at coming up with a long intro to a paper in order to reach the word limit needed for the assignment.  In fact that is why I got a BS as my degree - that is the joke between my husband and me... however, I've been struggling with a way to intro this first post.  As I mentioned in my God Space series, I am going to start sharing some wondering question reflection posts.  And this first one I knew I needed to share the first time I heard this song.  And since then the words have left me.




So while I jump right in this time, please forgive me.

Do you ever listen to the top 40 popular songs on the radio? Well if you do, or even if you have been in a store that does, you have probably heard this song from Charlie Puth: One Call Away.

Just in case, please hit the play button on this video as you read so we can be on the same page.





Halfway through this song, I was in love with it.  It is so sweet to hear about a guy telling a girl he wants to be the one she turns to in life whenever life is hard.  He "just wants to see her smile" I mean come on isn't that so sweet?  (side note - this kid can play the piano...I mean anyone who plays Steinways for their videos...)

Then a little thought crawled into my heart - "This is why so many relationships fall apart."  I was in the car and felt like I got punched in the gut. Why would such a thought enter my mind?

That statement and the song stuck with me for the rest of the day - and as a mom who could easily pass as a taxi driver during the week, that is not normal. So I sat down after the kids were in bed, and really thought about it, rather, I started to pray about it.  (You see I knew that statement wasn't really from my own feelings - it was Truth growing me.)

Expectation of Friendship

Constant Need 

"no matter where you go, you know you are not alone..."

Alright - adorable for a new boyfriend to say to a girlfriend - even more, lovely to hear your spouse say it.  But life is hard. Life is different for each person, no matter how much you do as at team. There will be times when you experience something on your own.

Do you know who to turn to in those moments? Do you know who has promised to always go before you, walk behind you, and stay in step along the journey? Do you call on Him first when you are feeling alone? (Deut 31:8;  Isa 41:13; Matt 28:20b)

Three Cords

"And when you're weak I'll be strong..."

If you are married - a strong, healthy Christian marriage, this verse probably wouldn't stand out to you at all. I mean this is what a spouse is supposed to do. But why?

Why do most husbands say this in some way to their wives?

Because they are modeling Christ - the Husband to the church.  Christ has promised to always be strong. In fact, in our weaknesses, He is all the more strong. (Eph 5:25-32)

My thought in pondering this song is what kind of damage are we setting our relationships up for when we expect another person, who does not have Christ as their strength, to be our strength when we are weak - every single time we are weak...

What will happen when that person cannot live up to our expectation of strength?




God intended marriage to be between a man and a woman and blessed (continually) through Him.  In marriage, we realize that we are forming a union where God blesses the husband and wife, and the two work together to grow in relationship with God.

If we are in relationships where God is not that source of strength, then it is only a matter of time until one or the other person doesn't live up to the expectations of eros love, or even phileo love, and the whole thing crumbles.  But when the fruit of the Spirit love starts to grow in a married couple (which could begin to bloom before vows... maybe another topic?) that agape love allows such statements to stand because they are built on the promises of God.





There were a few other little things... but the breakdown is this - in your love relationship  (hopefully with your spouse...) how much expectation have you put on him? Yes, he can be the person you run to for a hug, as your sounding board, your friend.  But if you are running to him instead of running to your Lord, then you are setting yourself, and your relationship up for some seriously rocky terrain.

On the flip side, if you are walking towards the Lord with your husband - growing in a personal relationship with each other and with God then this is the kind of song that could melt your heart in a good way.

Have you heard this song before?  Do you like it? Why? Why not?  Do you have any wondering questions after listening to it? 

Check out these great blogs where I'm sharing this!