As couples prepare to get married, they’re often focused on finding a venue, picking out a dress and tux, getting flowers and a band, but more important than all of this is preparing their hearts spiritually for the relationship that will follow. That’s why I’ve written Preparing Your Heart for Marriage: Devotions for Engaged Couples. The second half of the book is based on the traditional wedding vows so that couples can pray, talk and think through ahead of time all that they will promise each other on that special day. This opening devotional is meant to be an encouragement for engaged couples, but hopefully will also serve as a helpful reminder to all married couples of the joys of being married. We speak often about marriage’s difficulties, but let’s take a moment to celebrate what’s so amazing about marriage.
I thought I was one of the world’s biggest fans of marriage, until I asked a question on Facebook (“What do you love most about marriage?”) and found out there are a ton of marriage fans out there. Perhaps it’ll encourage you to hear so many positive reports about what married people love about being married as you prepare to become married.
In Sacred Marriage I wrote, “I love marriage, and I love my marriage. I love the fun parts, the easy parts, and the pleasurable parts, but also the difficult parts—the parts that frustrate me but help me understand myself and my spouse on a deeper level; the parts that are painful but that crucify the aspects of me that I hate; the parts that force me to my knees and teach me that I need to learn to love with God’s love instead of just trying harder. Marriage has led me to deeper levels of understanding, more pronounced worship, and a sense of fellowship that I never knew existed.”
Sacred Marriage admits how difficult marriage can be, but also points out that when it is good, it can be very good. Jillian told me, “Marriage is hard…especially when you’re acting selfish….but it’s also an absolute blast!”
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