1 Cor 7:28b NIV
...but those who marry will face many troubles in this life...
This past Saturday, upon returning home from our Sweetest Day lunch date, my wife Robin and I were met at the door by the smiling faces of our four kids. After inquiring as to what the smiles were about, the kids proceeded to tell us that they had been discussing the symbolism of wedding rings. An odd conversation for teens and kids for sure. Apparently, one of the twins told the younger ones that the rings symbolized "Forever" because a ring has no beginning and no end-a ring keeps going round and round.
Our son, Alex, being a bright young man of 11 years (today) questioned his brothers about the woman's ring, having a setting and diamond. "So for a woman, it's forever-bump-forever-bump-forever-bump." As they were telling us this Robin and I couldn't help but to laugh.
After my laughter subsided, the scripture above came to my mind and I thought how problems come into our marriage that when worked through together, serve to strengthen our marriage and bring relational growth.
Yesterday, I quoted that same scripture in a conversation with a friend while standing in the church foyer. Then, again, in a couple's workshop, yesterday afternoon, this same scripture was quoted by another friend of mine. Each time that this occurred, Robin and I would look at each other and smile - each one thinking - "forever-bump-forever-bump".
In marriage as in Christian life, God allows trials and tests - "troubles" if you will, to refine us and shape us and our marriage into something better. The key is staying the course after hitting the "bump" of the trouble.
If there was never any adversity, would there ever be any growth? Far too often, we hit a relational "bump" and allow ourselves to be thrown way off course. However, if we expect the bumps in our marriage, if we are prepared for the bumps, then we can better navigate through them and stay the course of forever - on earth with our spouse and in preparation for eternity with Christ.
Marital and relational bumps are sure to come. Enjoy the journey and learn from the bumps. Allow those things to strengthen your marriage. The next time you experience a "bump" in your marriage, look at your rings!
For Marriages and Families,
Dave
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