Marriage

What is the point of a marriage? Oh, my, do we really want to delve in to that thought (did I just make up a new word)? I know, you're probably thinking what is she thinking, she has no idea what she's talking about. Girlfriend's not married. You are so right! I have no idea about a smidge of what a marriage consists of (pardon the grammar). But I am surrounded by it. And I know the truth about one marriage.

It's the one between Jesus Christ and His church. Have you heard of it? I know for most of us, at first, it can be a strange thought to think of that covenant as a 'marriage'. But that's exactly what we call marriage, right, a covenant between a man and a woman?

Hold on, right quick, can I just share something for you to chew on, for me, for us to chew on really. Please read this with a confidence, 'Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude in mind Christ Jesus had: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross!' - Philippians 2:1-8

I wish I could say I'm able to exemplify half an ounce of that.

Oh, Christ died and rose again for his bride, his wife, his church (props to my friend Lauren for that thought). That doesn't mean we should be sitting back thinking, Wow that is great to see a relationship like that. That's just too bad that mine can't ever be similar. God created marriage, and for it to mirror that.

Let me reiterate, I know that I know so little about marriage, and I won't understand much about it until I am immersed in one myself. But I know that there are good times, not so good times, seasons, confusion, hurt, bitterness, a whithered spirit. Times where one wants to just walk away. It's too much. I believe in a God who restores. I believe in a Father who renews the nonrenewable. I believe in a God who places people in relationships for a reason, whether it be a friendship, dating, sisterly, a marriage. But a marriage, oh a marriage, what a brave and courageous journey to be apart of with another person. And if you have children, can we say brave times a million. I know that a marriage is between two people, but the effects it has on others, specifically children (adult children too), is huge. simply huge.

Please believe this. Please know that you are an example of Christ and his bride, the church. You are an example for your kids no. matter. the. age.

You are an example for me.

{I would like to thank all of those marriages that are apart of my life, whether 'new' or 'not so new', the ones I know best are so encouraging, and so brave, and so real}