June – the month of brides and weddings! Ah marriage!

I remember so well. I’m in love with a girl at 23. It’s bliss. We’ll be happy forever!

Then reality hits! Everything that was once I, me or mine, now becomes “ours.” You realize the partner you truly love has her own dreams, desires and goals. Sometimes these differ from yours alone. So you remember what drew you to her in the first place; you suck it up and compromise on decisions for the two of you. Decisions like how many children to have, where to live, which side of the family to visit on Sundays, how to save or spend earnings. You’re always trying to take your marriage vows seriously.We did say for better or worse, in wealth or poverty, in sickness and in health ‘til death do us part.

As any of you who have been married know, it’s not always easy. But, as a Christian couple we had the great advantage of God’s Word the Bible and church leaders to help us on our life’s journey. And, there were the examples of family with long successful marriages.

As a Christian man I have tried to remember that passage in Genesis in which Adam did not find a suitable mate until God took from Adam’s rib and created Eve. Adam was so happy. He stated, “Now here indeed is someone who is bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh.” And God said “and the two shall become one flesh.”

Yes, troubles came. In our case there were serious illnesses, losses of siblings, mom and dad, job problems. We always tried to decide together what we should do. Both of us at times deferred to the other’s leaning, after prayerfully considering our options.

As a Christian man, I know how much God loves us – unconditionally. He forgives and forgets when we ask. I’ve always strived to mimic (albeit poorly) that kind of love in my marriage. At this time I am just shy of 42 years married and loved by a wonderful spouse, whom God has indeed blessed me with!

Remember God Loves You Unconditionally!

Joey

“Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.” Proverbs 19:14

Read Genesis 22-24 for the beautiful story of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah.