Married Life

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7 NIV)

Our pastor showed us an amazing correlation between the relationship of a marriage and our relationship with Christ.

First, you have to trust someone.
It’s a new way of life.
You create lasting ties.
It’s forever.
You die to self and become a new self.
It begins with a honeymoon phase.
It becomes routine.
It’s supposed to get better over time.

Happily married couples have become an oddity. Have you noticed? When was the last time you saw a couple and thought to yourself, “they are truly, truly happy.”  I saw one such couple today and it made my heart melt until I realized how long it had been since I saw such a couple. Then it made me sad for the rest of us.

If every husband and wife approached each other with the grace and mercy that Christ extends his bride, married life could be full of peace. Imagine the difference it could make in your marriage; to stop laying blame and pointing fingers; to stop thinking of ourselves first and instead focus on their needs. Imagine how that would change your children’s lives; showing them what true selflessness looks like; showing them what it means to love and be loved.

I often wonder why we behave the way we do to our spouse.  They are the one person who CHOSE to be with us.  Our parents didn’t choose us.  Our kids don’t choose us.  Only our spouse chooses to share their lives with us. Why do they get the leftovers of our time and attention?  Why don’t they get the best we have to offer? Why do we allow ourselves to lessen the joy of marriage?

God, thank you for my spouse. Thank you for sending me someone to love. I’ve not been a good steward of the gift you gave me Lord, but I pray that through my obedience to your word that my marriage begins to look more like the model you gave us. Thank you for loving me enough to show me the way.