Strengthening Marriage

I have been thinking recently about the ramifications of being a part of a marriage and a family for reasons that probably seem obvious. (Less than two months until my own wedding) What other relationship should you be so committed to the good of the other person and ultimately the marriage itself. It seems to me, in my limited observational experience that when done right there is no relationship more selfless and thereby rewarding than that of the eternal union between two people who are absolutly committed to each other.

It is sad to see something so beautiful and divine often destroyed in our society. There are the obvious culprits: infidelity (including adultery and pornography), finances, etc. that are often cited in publications as causes for failed marriages. But I have been thinking about a couple of weakening factors in the partnership that is marriage that are not quite as publicized.

So often we see men and women who work too much at much at promotions, bonuses, and quarterly earnings; but too little at their marriage and family. It's often said that it's just going to be this bad for the first few years until I can establish myself, and then I'll work less. But, will it ever be enough? Is there a limit to what promotions you can receive, or how padded you bank account can be? The only visible limit on such prizes is death itself.

There are also those who lose themselves in their service to God that they forget their family. But isn't perfecting a marriage, and raising children to love and serve God the greatest call to serve he has give us? Put the family first and you put God first, he will provide the energy and time to accomplish His purposes without sacrificing your family.

Perhaps the most furtive weakener of relationships of any kind that has been on my mind is that of stress. We often talk about our own capacity to handle stress but are we really handling it when we are so irritable that nobody wants to be around us, or we don't have time for those we have said are the most important? I think the effect of our own stress on the people that we love, should be the measure of our capacity when it comes to our career. We wouldn't steal a candy bar because our integrity is worth far more than such a trivial item. Like this our marriages and families should be worth far more than any career success or achievement.

Recap: no "failure" outside of the home will negate true success in family. And honestly God will not let us fail in any endeavor worth succeeding in if we are converted.