Marriage is

a holy estate. We don't say that birth is a holy estate. We don't say

death is a holy estate. It's very interesting that for centuries the first

words out of the Christian minister's mouth were, "marriage is a

holy estate, ordained by God." And of course that's it. That's why

marriage is a holy estate. God ordains it. It's the special state and

station in life at which God decides to pour out his blessings on two

people because of their covenant with each other and with him.

Someone needs

to tell every Tom, Dick, Harry, and Jennifer of Hollywood that marriage

is a threesome: woman, man, and God. One does not tie the knot and break

the knot at will. Someone else is involved here. He is God. It's his estate.

That's the

beauty and glory of marriage. It is of God. Two people can look into one

another's eyes and make their covenant knowing full well that God well

help them over the tough terrain in order to keep their covenant. Personally,

I see why Jennifer Lopez changes husbands about as often as I change a/c

filters. God's not on board. There's hardly a way two people can face

the setbacks and disappointments of marriage without God's grace to forgive

and forbear.

Take for instance,

that first year of marital bliss called the honeymoon period. If your

first year was anything like what I experienced, you are thankful that

the second year was better and the third year better than the second.

That first year of surprises, adjustments, and realization that marriage

is not a wedding can be shocking. Poor bride and groom exist for a few

months in the la-la land of being the prince and princess with party after

party, delicious food prepared just for them on the cruise, and all those

gifts. But the hard realities of marriage sets in and one has to answer

the difficult question night after night, "What are we going to have

for supper?" Bills have to be paid. House cleaned. In-laws over for

dinner.

If a couple

does not have God's grace working in their favor, there's every reason

to believe it won't work. Too many factors already working against the

poor couple.

But with God's

grace, Ah, that's the way to go. God's grace allows both husband and wife

to understand that a spotless house is not the most important thing in

the world. So what if his mother got down on her knees and cleaned the

kitchen floor! The couple guided by God's grace knows their constant love

needs more attention than the kitchen floor.

God's grace

attends every argument gently nudging each one to get it right before

the sun goes down and they crawl into bed. The marriage bed was never

designed for a volcano, but for two people to cave-in on one another after

a long day.

God's grace

helps us to know that we may not always have the right slant to a situation

and therefore should listen to our spouse. I sincerely encourage every

married couple to begin living with the reality that marriage is God's

holy estate. It's not just about you and him or you and her. It's about

the big him and he has a big stake in your marriage. You may bring another

soul into this world and you will need all his help possible. He can help

you parent your children by his grace: the only way to parent.

Ask God. He

knows. That's how he has related to you and me all these years.

John

Hatcher is pastor of

Outreach International

Center

1091 South Jeff Davis

Drive

Fayetteville, Georgia

30215

770-719-0303

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