Listing: Full-Time Marriage with Benefits

When Paul and I stood at the alter of our church eight years ago (this Tuesday) we made a promise, a commitment before God and our families and friends.  We promised in sickness and in health til death do us part to continue this union of marriage. 

In a society where divorce rates are increasing and statically less people are actively attending church the word "marriage" is loosely used.

You see marriage is a life-long career.  It is not listed as a temporary position in the want ads.  God created marriage for the long term. 

Marriage is not always easy however.  When two people, who have been uniquely made come together there is bond to be indifference.  Marriage is a full-time job with benefits. 

I believe most people mentally write the resume of the the partner they pray they will have one day. A woman may require their husband to be God-fearing, hard working, athletic, and loving.   Men may require their wife to be motherly, adventurous, organized or intelligent. 

We often look for someone who shares our faith, our values and our ideas.  But, as I said before we are two different minds uniquely created and sometimes there is chaos in our "shared position". 

I am, my no means, a marriage expert.  Eight years and a few devotionals later doesn't give me more points, but I am aware of how maintenance works.

Most jobs we work have a maintenance and cleaning crew.  These people fix what is broken and clean what is messy.  In marriage, that is up to us.  We disagree and insult each other.  We are quick to anger and slow to ask for forgiveness.  We break promises and make messy decisions.  It is hard to admit we are wrong and easy to blame.

We must learn to forgive, think before we speak, listen and be slow to anger.  This is a full-time job.  We must pray together, learn together and make decisions together. We must celebrate our differences as man and women and try our best to understand and embrace why God created us this way. 

So we know this is hard work, but trust me there are benefits:

Insurance coverage.   When committed to one anther we can guarantee full coverage of love.  Being loved and cared for improves our health and well being.


Life Insurance. Commitment.  Knowing, for the rest of your earthly life you will share it with anther human being, is blissful.

Dental.  Sharing this union is subject to lots of smiling and laughing.


Parenthood. Love can create new life. And parenthood, is one of the most exciting benefits of marriage. It comes with it's share of challenges, but likewise it's share of rewards.


My grandparents will celebrate 59 years of marriage this week.  When asked at a wedding, how they got that far my grandfather replied, "remember two words, yes dear".  Whether you are a man or women you can remember these words.  Try to understand your partner whether it is yes dear, I can imagine that bothers you or it is yes dear, I was wrong.  But also think of it as yes God, I will give this job everything I have got.  Marriage is indeed a full-time job with benefits.