Some folks can’t see the big picture. I’m not one of them. I see it much too clearly.

It was the little picture of my life that was invisible to me.

As I fretted daily over the seemingly insurmountable problems that are confronting our nation, my family situation was slowly crumbling around me. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize it until I was left standing in the rubble of numerous broken hearts.

Not in a million years did I figure I would find myself in a lawyer’s office talking about the division of my assets and custodial rights. I naively kept thinking I would awaken from the worst nightmare imaginable. I nervously waited for a splash of cold water in my face, but it never came.

This is a cautionary tale for everyone who believes their marriage is indestructible. Let me assure you it is not. Don’t take it for granted that someone you have loved for 10, 20 or 30 years — 28 in my case — will necessarily share with you their concerns or unhappiness — or that they won't betray you.

I won’t reveal the gory details of the train wreck my life has become. Suffice it to say that any distraction — your job, the bottle, financial woes or sexual temptation — can cost you everything you hold dear.

I thought I knew all the warning signs of trouble. After all, I served as the vice president of Thomasville Family and MarriageNet Inc. for several years and I have counseled a troubled couple or two.

Folks, let me tell you, it was game, set and match for my marriage before I knew what hit me. Now all I can think about are approaching milestones for my children that won’t be as happy as they should have been — for me or them. Thanksgiving and Christmas will never be the same, and what about my daughter’s wedding and my son’s graduation day? Years from now, will my children’s children be calling another man “Grandpa?”

This tragedy will ripple for years, damaging or killing close family relationships and circles of friends. Knowledge of that fact inflicts pain all the way to the marrow in my bones.

It was only a few years ago on these very pages that I shared my belief that my marriage was divinely inspired. Although my faith has been shaken, I still consider that to be true.

During a three-way conversation with a pastor and a deacon this week, I learned that families like mine — ones that are seemingly strong — are the kind that the devil loves to undermine. They said evil slips into families when when a spouse turns away from God. They stressed that God never turns away from those who stay close to Him.

I can honestly say that even though my heart is burdened, my conscience is clear. So all I can do now is help my loved ones rise from the ashes left in the wake of a blazing series of bad decisons and encourage you to pay more attention to the small picture instead of the big one.