Marriage- For Better AND for Worse

     As I was taking a walk the other today, I decided to stop by the gas station to get a little bit of A/C on myself. As I was about to leave, the cashier pointed to my shirt that said, "I love my husband", and said, "Are you a newlywed?" I said, "Well, we've been married for a little over 5 months now." :) She said, "In 10 years, you're not gonna want to wear that shirt! I mean, you'll still love him and all, but you're not gonna want to wear that shirt." And then she laughed. She then went on to tell me to have a good day, and she moved onto another customer.

     I couldn't help but think of how sad that was. I don't know her past, but all I know is that I will always Love and cherish Joshua Narwold​! After my parents have been married for 25 years, and I still see the love they have for each other, and I see Josh's parents, and many other couples around me still in love, if not even more now then when they first got married.

     In today's day and age, marriage isn't cherished. When a husband and wife marry, they put aside "for better or worse". They give up too easily. God meant marriage to be for life. Unless you have Christ as the center in your marriage, how can your marriage last? I love Josh, and will continue to cherish him through the good and the bad. Through the rough days, and the good days. After all, Christ did the same for us, shouldn't we show the same love that Christ shows us every day?!

     Now, I realize that people separate and get divorced for various reasons, such as abuse or what not. But, should we give up so easily on marriage? Hard times come, but what do we choose to do in those hard times? Do we choose to lay it down at the foot of the Cross, and cast all our cares upon Him? It's those choices that will make the biggest decisions in our lives. 

     "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.'"       ~ 1st Peter 4:8~ (This is a very important life verse for marriage because marriage is a unification of two sinners. No one is perfect in a marriage. There will be times that a husband or wife may fail each other, mess up, or do something hurtful. It is important to remember God's definition of love and know that loving each other deeply can cover all those sins. This verse reminds us the true power of love!)

     "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." ~Mark 10:9~ (When you first enter into marriage, the last thing you are thinking about is divorce! But, through the years of being together, you may enter times of hardship and trails that threaten your relationship. If this is ever the case, allow God's word come into play. You have been joined together under God, don't let anyone or anything separate your love for each other.)   
     "Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." ~Ecclesiastes 4:12~ (Understanding that two is strong than one is one thing. But, understanding two together united with one God is even stronger! The three cords represent a husband, a wife, and God. These three form a close relationship that is not easily broken.)

     "Be completely humble and gentle; Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace."~Ephesians 4:2-3~(If a husband and wife are humble, patient, gentle, and selfless in a relationship, this will cause less confrontation and arguments.)

How do you feel like you can reach out to marriages today? How do you feel like you can invest in your own? I'd love to hear from you!