In Praise of Marriage 12/12/2012

"Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE,  and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'?   "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."  Matt 19:4-7

It was the Pharisees, in one of their many attempts to test Jesus, that put forth the question, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all (v. 3)?"  That same question is still being asked today.  Even more tragically, the question is rarely asked any more.  The papers are just drafted and that at about a 50% rate.

Beloved, this is not to criticize anyone who has ever gotten a divorce.  This is to remind us of why God instituted marriage in the first place.  The family, beginning with a man and a woman, is the foundation of every relationship.  He established this as one of His first acts of creation.  In Gen 9:7, God told Noah and his family, "As for you, be fruitful and multiply; populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it." Even Christ compared the relationship between a husband and wife with that of his relationship with the church.  There is great value in family and great strength to be derived from it.

I must admit to you, faithful reader, that there is a reason this subject is on my mind today.  If you will forgive the indulgence, on this date 20 years ago, it was God that spoke when Michelle Elaine Lindo said, "I do" to becoming Michelle Elaine Lewis. Since that day she has been everything a man could want in a woman, everything a husband could want in a wife and everything a friend could want in a best friend. For that, I will be eternally grateful to the God that spoke all things into existence and to to Michelle for saying yes, for building a family with me and for her unflinching and constant support, compassion and love. Happy Anniversary honey! 

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee