But there's something piercing my heart. To write about anything else today would not be genuine.
{As a disclaimer, these words are not meant to point fingers or label those who have experienced failed marriages. I have not walked your journey. I know that some decisions are outside of your control. I know that there has been pain. May you know the rich grace and healing available to you in Jesus.}
I used to think that life would be so much better, so much easier after I got married. I used to think that fear would not assault me nearly as much with a strong husband by my side.
What I've found is that fear has taken another tune. It plays in and out of my head and it shakes my security.
The world doesn't believe in marriage. Sadly, a lot of Christians don't believe in it either. I've heard so many stories of the destruction of this relationship. I watch movies where divorce "just happens" to find its way into the lives of two people who were once so very in love. I've heard plenty of the ole "ball 'n chain" jokes from those who call themselves wiser. My head gets bombarded with the message from Hollywood saying that marriage is misguided and naive. You can leave when you fall more in love with someone else that's more attractive or a better fit for you. Married people lose what they once had. As if there's some kind of curse on those who have said their vows.
It makes me sad. I cried tears on my husband's flanneled shoulder last night as I shared these thoughts.
But I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The way of truth is costly, isn't it? Misunderstood, frowned upon, attacked.
And I guess I can understand. If I didn't have a faith in a God who modeled covenant faithfulness to me, why would I have gotten married? It's because of His example that I did. It's because of the beauty of sanctification; the messy, hard, difficult process of making each other more like Jesus that I did. It's because of the hope of eternity that I did.
And I am ever so glad that I did. I am ever so glad that I DO everyday when I wake up. I am so glad that God shows up for those who model their lives after Him. He honors the covenant that we make in his sight, for His glory.
It takes bravery to live the truth and power of marriage. Not because it is power in itself, but because of what it represents to our world. The world who scoffs at marriage and mars it with the silt of infidelity and sin. It takes bravery to recognize the value of a covenant relationship knowing that through it we are being made new and standing tall together, hand-in-hand showing the world the richness of what love is. It also takes bravery to speak highly of this relationship even in the face of those who say they share our beliefs yet look on marriage with disdain.
Marriage takes bravery. As those who know why we're in it, it's time to be louder and braver with our message of truth.
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