marriage, that old couple
I still believe in marriage.
Is that a weird thing to say?
I still believe in the picture of Christ’s love for His people that marriage represents.
In fact, I believe in it more today than I did last year.
If marriage was entirely for our own individual glory or pleasure, if the picture of marriage was to bring honor to ourselves alone, then my story – and countless others’ stories – would be playing out so differently and would matter so much less.
Recently I saw an older couple sit down together in church across the aisle from where I sat.
He put his arm around her shoulder. Leaned in for a whisper. She reached up and squeezed his hand with her own.
Wrinkles and gray hair and smiles and hand pats and a genuine look of love in their eyes.
And yes.
My heart was pained.
But it was also encouraged.
Filled with hope.
And for that man and for that woman in that moment, I was glad for them.
There’s a promise in marriage. There’s a picture within a picture.
And a worthwhile one, I would suggest.
A picture and a truth worth fighting for.
And not just worth fighting for in my own life or in my own circumstances, but in the lives and the circumstances of other people in my community.
In the lives of humanity as a whole.
In the lives of people who will be raising the future one-day spouses of my own many children.
It’s a message worth being uncomfortable for.
A message worth promoting and sharing, even in the face of personal defeat.
8 Comments
Sara
What a joy blessing that the things our world terms “personal defeat,” our God uses and reclaims. He even calls them “victory,” as we endure them with faithfulness.
Stand tall.
God sees your personal victory in the midst of the Hard. You join the lineup of saints in Hebrews 11 as you triumph over evil by refusing to believe satan’s lies about marriage.
It is lonely, though. And full of hurt and sadness. I know this. And pray often for you. For your children.
So much love
judy kay
These words? So incredibly full of grace. That you would land here in this true spot after the months you’ve lived…. It can only be the heart-shaping work of our good God.
laceykeigley
I will agree that it cannot be of me. That much is certain.
Boyd
Thank you for these beautiful words and your sweet, Godly attitude that shines through them!!
I have been in the church many years and in my opinion, verse 22 ( wives submit to your husbands as unto the Lord) has been emphasized far too often by ministers and men in general. This at the expense of the remainder of the chapter. This creates a lopsided picture of a man ruling over his “woman” (not biblical) rather than a loving husband giving himself to and for his wife as Christ did and does for His church, going so far as to love his wife as himself!
As you so aptly stated, this is not only a beautiful example of marriage but also one of Christ’s relationship to the church. Designed to be a lifelong relationship, while also representing an eternal one.
I don’t read this latter part of Ephesians as often as I should. It always creates one of those “Ouch Moments” – “God you are stepping on my toes here”! The truth is I NEED God to step on my toes. I know for whatever reason He does, He always does it out of love and for my good! 🙂
laceykeigley
Those “ouch” moments are just the worst – aren’t they?
I really appreciate your reading and commenting!
Lana
He has a plan for you. A plan for your best because He loves you. Hugs!
Mandi Buckner
Love this!!! It’s showing the Lord’s fruit in you – in your healing journey when you can see the bigger picture / God’s Kingdom work – when you can still be glad for others in the midst of your own pain – it’s the fruit of the Spirit shining ever so brightly in you Ace! You are His beautiful, beloved Daughter and oh how He delights in you! 🙂
laceykeigley
thank you Kubina.