Marriage is under attack in modern society. It is often scorned as being old fashioned and out of touch. Many couples have opted NOT to get married. Many couples have gotten married only to end the marriage in short order. Today I want to share my thoughts on marriage.

Rhonda and I both come from families with long lasting marriages. My parents were married for 72 years before Dad died. Rhonda’s parents were married for 57 years before her Mom died. Rhonda’s grandparents were married for 70 years before Granddaddy died. That is a total of 199 years with an average of 66 years and 3 months!

I don’t know about you, but looking at those numbers are a blessing and encouragement to me. I know for a fact that all three couples went through periods of tough finances, major family sickness, the stress of raising children, job changes, etc. I also know that in spite of the fact that all three couples loved each other they still had disagreements and arguments. This is encouraging to me and Rhonda as we are heading towards our 47th wedding anniversary. For you see, we also have had tough financial times, major family sickness, the stress of raising children, job changes, etc. And, yes, we have loved each other and still love each other and yet we have had disagreements and arguments. There have been days when the going was TOUGH! But, as I look at a combined total of 199 years of marriage for three couples, I am given hope that if God grants Rhonda and me continued years of life, that the day will come when we also will reach these milestones. And we will reach them in spite of all of the hardships that we have experienced over the years.

In a society where marriage is under attack and where marriage is often viewed as nothing more than an inconvenience to happiness, I want to remind you that marriage is one of the greatest gifts that God has given to us. I want to remind you that though times can be tough in a marriage, the marriage can continue to live and flourish!

Encourage some young couple that you know to stick it out when their marriage is less than ideal. Encourage them to hang tough and trust the grace of God to get them through. After all…marriage is of God’s own design and that in and of itself makes marriage worthwhile.

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.