Websters Dictionary defines MARRIAGE as: (noun) a legally accepted relationship between a man and a woman in which they live as husband and wife, or the official ceremony.
Like many of you, the meaning of marriage for me comes from what I have personally seen from examples in my family, what I have learned from a Judaeo-Christian gospel perspective, and also from what I have experienced in my life. Taking classes, observation of family members, and 13 years of “on-the-job-training” in my own marriage to my wonderful husband have given me a good foundation of knowledge, but I know there is much more that I can learn. I hope that I can delve into and support why marriage matters and what it means. I suppose that if asked, my definition would be similar to Websters Dictionary (but with more). I would say that a marriage represents the commitment between two people who promise and covenant to work, strengthen, and build a relationship that is to be long-lasting or eternal. A marriage included thinking of your spouse before yourself. There is sacrifice, giving, changing, and growing together... and marriage matters!
Why should we care? As found in The State of Our Unions: Marriage in America 2012; The National Marriage Project it states
"Marriage is not merely a private arrangement; it is also a complex social institution. Marriage fosters small cooperative unions—also known as stable families—that enable children to thrive, shore up communities, and help family members to succeed during good times and to weather the bad times."For many "marriage traditionalists", marriage is a holy covenant before God. In the Jewish custom, God's people signed a written agreement at the time of the marriage to seal the covenant. The marriage ceremony with family and friends and members of the community is then meant be a public demonstration of a couple's commitment to a covenant relationship. It's not the "ceremony" that's important in a marriage, it's the couple's covenant commitment before God and men.
That quote has really given me something to think about in my quest to find out why marriage matters. The most interesting point being the community involvement of the covenant and commitment would provide much needed strength to the couple in their relationship. I am not sure there is the community involvement in many parts of our world today. It seems a sad thing in the transient (connected- but not) world that many of us are a part of. What can we do about that?
What makes a MARRIAGE work? I have seen variables that have occurred that have a powerful influence to strengthen (or in the same sense—weaken), a marriage relationship—the building blocks to make that relationship strong are essential. These building blocks include: devotion, expressing gratitude, forgiveness, unity, and love. Continuing to build and support one another in a marriage relationship to also a key to success.
It is also important to note that there is plenty of evidence that good (stable and thriving) marriages are crucial for the overall well-being of adults. What is even more important is that those stable and thriving marriages are crucial for the overall well-being of children. It is a very critical and crucial relationship that marriages play for individuals, families, children, and society that emphasizes why marriage matters!
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