“The word ‘divorce’ can stir up a range of emotions, from a sense of freedom to despair, at the end of a once-happy union. Most people can easily quote the now-outdated statistic that ‘50% of marriages end in divorce.’ Although the true number is lower these days, the United States still leads the world in marital splits” (Terry & Roberts). It is in my opinion that many marriages end in divorce because some couples marry for the wrong reasons. Marriage is the “legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship,” based on the online dictionary’s definition. However, spiritually, as God intended, the meaning is that marriage is a covenant, a sacred bond between a man and a woman instituted by and publicly entered into before God, and normally consummated by sexual intercourse.
Because marriage is a sacred bond, both husband and wife have a spiritual obligation to maintain that bond. Genesis 2:24 (ESV) says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” When a couple marries, they must work together to keep the bond so that the flame in their marriage will continue glowing. Respect for each other and the marriage itself is key. Every day in a marriage is not going “to be like Sunday,” but there most certainly are ways to keep it glowing.
• Love each other as Christ loved the Church.
• It is nice to say, “I love you,” often, but make sure that you are showing it.
• Attend church together.
• Pray together every day.
• Read and study the Word together.
• Eat meals together daily.
• Keep third parties out of your marriage.
• Do not broadcast your business all over town, especially on social media.
• Take trips together when feasible.
• Watch television together sometimes.
• Speak to each other when you get up in the mornings.
• Hold fun-loving and intellectual conversations.
• Do “silly” things to make each other laugh.
• Have a “date night” often.
• Do not tear each other down.
• Remember to say words such as “Please” and “Thank you.”
• Husbands, don’t take your wives as “short-order” cooks or your maids.
• Be honest.
• Be there for each other “…for better or worse.”
• Don’t take each other for granted because tomorrow is not promised.
• Lastly, remember that your husband is your “king,” and your wife is your “queen.” Always abound in the faith, and never leave home without Him!
