08 Jun I Vote Yes for Long-term Marriage!
2 to 5 years. That’s how long it seems like most marriages are lasting today, if you read the headlines.
Every week I talk to someone who has recently gotten divorced or is contemplating it. Whether I’m in the grocery store, in my counseling office, or chatting with a friend, marriages are falling apart a lot these days.
I know how hard marriage is. It takes work. It takes commitment. But nothing great is ever gained without a great cost. And its benefits and rewards are great… I say these things, having been married for 34 years to that gentleman you see in the picture. But it hasn’t been without laboring long and hard during certain seasons when things seemed hopeless.
What are some of the rewards and benefits worth fighting for? I’m glad you asked! Here are a few that come to mind:
*Enjoying decades of shared memories.
*Raising children and grandchildren together through the seasons of life.
*Growing into a better, stronger person by working hard through difficulties and differences.
*Having one person who knows you and is committed to you through every stage of life.
*Learning to take hold of God’s hand more as He walks you through tough relational times.
*Learning how to love deeper, richer and fuller.
Yes, it can be hard. And it takes a lot of work at times…but people work very hard for many things in life, determined to overcome any obstacle. Why not this, when it’s so important, to us and to the generations we influence.
And let me say, if you’ve been divorced, what’s past is past. We all have many things we wish had happened differently, and let the person who is perfect cast the first stone. The joyous news is that we can all use our past experiences to help and guide others.
I’ve discovered that being married to one person for a lifetime is a treasure to be cherished, protected, and fought for. This is not a message we’re hearing today… Will you join me in proclaiming and modeling it?
Question: What are some of the benefits you would add to the list above?