Marriage is known as the holy union between two people. These two people who stand together are announcing that they will try to remain faithful, to be kind in sickness and in health, not to leave the other person no matter how poor or rich they are, happiness or grief, and so many other promises. Promises that should not be taken lightly. But I think it’s the last one that kills most marriages.
I see everywhere from bumper stickers here on Facebook, to real bumper stickers on cars, to rumors from Hollywood. That classic line that gets women of all ages and men’s panties in a knot. Marriage = Happiness. Complete and utter happiness. Everyone should get married because you will never ever be happy until you are married. Because when you get a ring on your finger life is just bliss and a lovely ride for the rest of your life. You know what! Actually, forget marriage… elope! That way complete and total happiness can be found faster and a little cheaper!
Schreeeeeeeech!
Say what??????????
Does this make ANY sense to you? Any at all?
Subtract Hollywood from your mind for me. I know it’s hard, but trust me on this one. Subtract all those corny love movies known as “chick flicks”. Subtract Walt Disney. Subtract those awful magazines you keep under your bed who are a home to “perfect women”.
Look at your parents, look at your grandparents, actually no- look at your ancestors! I can guarantee most of them, if not all, did not get a divorce like 50% of Americans do today. Why? Because they chose to love that person. Not because they were always happy with them. Not because it was always sweet and lovely. Not because every day was peaches and cream. But because it was worth fighting for. It was worth working for. It was worth waiting for.
Why do we rush? Why do we settle? Do we not believe that there is “the one” out there for us? That handsome, caring, open-doors-for, comical, understanding, sensitive, prince charming? Or that beauty with the perfect body, the one who allows you to watch football interrupted, the one who respects you in all that you do no matter what!, the one who is the best cook (besides your mom), princess?
Sorry to be cheesy here with the “prince” and “princess” title. But I KNOW he’s out there. I know she’s out there. But we give up. We think oh he’s fineeeee and yes, he treats me right- I mean not in front of his friends- but when we’re alone he calls me baby, and oh yeah calls me every once in awhile although I usually have to call him.
Schreeeeeeech!
Why do we settle??? Why do we give in to what is less than what we used to dream of as a little girl or boy? Why do we lower our standards, even compromise them sometimes? Oh right! Happiness.
I have what I call a “Perfect Guy” list and a wise lady told me to NEVER date a guy who didn’t meet ALL of these qualities. Because even if he doesn’t meet one, I compromised and I settled.
Sadly, I have compromised in the past. I thought he was my prince. Turns out I was sadly mistaken. He met 95% of the list, but not 100%.
I am currently reading a great book and in this book, the married authors give this paraphrased advice. These desires in me were what God should be to me!!! He planted them in me because he wants me to see them in him (woah!), and even better- he wants to give them to me!!!! He wants me to experience them through another person. Woah x 2!!!
It’s going to be hard. This waiting game. This fighting game. This praying when my heart is lonely game. Man! Just thinking about it, it’s going for real tough. But you know what he’s with me. (God not my hubby of the year) And to be honest, that makes all the difference in all the world.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
-Psalm 37:3-7
Don’t look at the world! Don’t look to see what others have!
Look to HIM.
