HOPE FOR THE HOME: Marriage truly is a gift

Personal Message: Originally delivered at one of our Hope for the Home Conferences, this message remains as timely today as when it was first presented. We are pleased to share a portion of it with you this week.

Jerry: “I will!” These words have been spoken countless times as couples pledge their marriage vows. The wedding vows are more than promises. They are a two-sided covenant between parties where each voluntarily accepts the terms of the marital contract. God, himself, is a witness to the marriage covenant and takes special notice of this most solemn event.

Becky: Marriage requires unconditional love. Love is to marriage what oxygen is to the lungs. Love is the majesty, the light, and pulse of life. Love refines our flaws, elevates our character, illuminates our darkness, and sustains our hopes. Love outshines the brilliance of the diamond, the fire of the opal, the romance of the ruby, the seduction of the sapphire and the mystery of the emerald. Love empowers a couple to move beyond the bonds of their two families and build one family together. Love is the sunshine of the soul. It shines most beautifully in the reflections of the morning and evening.

Jerry: Adversity cannot destroy true love and death cannot conquer it. Love protects you from the fears of life and comforts during the crises of life. A marriage without love is like a rose without fragrance and a symphony without sound. Love is the highest of all emotions and must be maintained with a commitment to keep the flame burning.

Becky: Marriage is not the joining of two incomplete halves. It is the union of two whole people, each bringing their best to create the “oneness” described by our Lord. Husbands and wives are not trophies meant for display; they are vessels called to serve for the glory of God. Unity, not diversity is the common denominator. Long after the bridal wreath has faded and wedding rings have worn smooth, it will have been your commitment to each other and Jesus Christ which sustained you on the mountain peaks and in the valleys.

Jerry: A fulfilling marriage requires you to guard your relationship, allowing no person or possession to come between you. It is too precious to evaporate due to secret regrets or open differences. Your spouse should always be your best friend. Just as two harps require care to remain in tune, when the strings of two hearts resonate as one, they create an enchanting harmony. May it be so in your marriage.

Dr. Drace and his wife Becky are on American Family Radio weekdays at 4:20 PM (CT) and on Sundays at 5:35 PM (CT). You can freely subscribe to their podcast at Apple Podcast, Spotify, or directly at HopoefortheHome.org/podcast. Check out their resources for the family at HopefortheHome.org. Becky’s latest book, “The Bright Side of Blue” and Dr. Drace’s, “44 Ways to Strengthen Your Marriage” offer biblical principles and timely advice for dealing with the challenges and trials of life. You may order these and other resources by contacting them at: hopefor thehome.org, or directly at: jdeainc@juno.com.