Being Real In Our MarriagesНамуна

It’s about today & not tomorrow 

When my seven-and-a-half-year-old younger son died of leukemia, my faith as a Christian made me believe I will be reunited with my son in eternity. My final conversations with my son gave me the assurance that he had made it to heaven. What was left was for me to run my race, true to my faith to meet him there. As a family this became our hope.

In my mind I started looking forward to the day when we would be a family of four again. Soon it stopped making sense to my logical mind. As a mother I wanted my elder son to live till he got married and would have a family of his own. But wait … which family will he be part of - us or with his wife ?…... This meant it would still be just three of us....

I was reminded of my marriage vow.

I, Sherene, take you, John, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's Holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.

It suddenly dawned on me—my marriage would end the day one of us died (I am aware that this is not the only possible way). This changed my outlook of life and family. Yes, I will see my son and my husband in heaven but we may not be part of a unit called family. Three gospels give a glimpse of this with no ambiguity that, 'At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.' What does it mean to us living? 

Marriage is an earthly relationship that is ordained and instituted by God to fill our lives with joy and purpose. If marriage is a purpose that God wants us to enjoy on earth, each of us will have to give an account of our actions and responses in marriage to fulfill God's purpose. This brings life and purpose to our marriage on earth. Marriages are to be lived and cherished on earth, every day with joys and happiness in spite of the challenges and sadness…

Are we fulfilling God’s purpose in our marriages today or are we waiting for situations to become ideal?