Let me conclude

my series on marriage by thanking everyone who took the time to call and

send me a note indicating your appreciation for unique and positive perspectives

related to marriage. Far too often all we hear and read are the "gloom

and doom" aspects of marriage. Having been married for nearly 29

years, I believe long-term marriage has received a bum rap and needs an

advocate. I know from personal experience that marriage has afforded me

many more benefits than liabilities.

To close out

this series, I want to list from my vantage the ten top advantages of

married life over that of being single-who-wants-to-be-married or the

formerly married (a la divorced).

Number 10 -

You don't have to fret who will be your date this coming Friday night.

Throw away the little black book because you have a standing date every

Friday night and probably Saturday night if your pocketbook can afford

it.

Number 9 -

You have an immediate second opinion available so you can avoid making

those stupid mistakes. Yes, indeed, two heads are better than one. And

many of those times, you can have that second opinion without even asking

for it. However, that's much better than looking stupid before all your

friends and enemies.

Number 8 -

The discomfort of loneliness is overcome. Even if you are the one to come

home to an empty house, it becomes less empty just knowing your spouse

will be coming home a little later. An efficiency apartment can be a big

empty place when it's just you.

Number 7 -

Sex is free. Even free of guilt.

Number 6 -

You can show your behind to your spouse and she or he will still be able

to see your best aspects and therefore keep you around. Show your behind

to your employer or good friend; that will be the last time you show them

anything. They will be out of your life.

Number 5 -

You can have as many children as you can afford and want and be proud

of them. Show them off to the world. You won't have to hide them off somewhere

and pay someone secretly to care for them. Marriage validates children

and children are a blessing to marriage.

Number 4 -

You will have someone to hold your hand walking at the mall or in the

park. I can remember it hurting so back as I saw couples holding hands

knowing I did not have such to hold prior to marriage. Marriage is the

antidote to loneliness in the crowded public places.

Number 3 -

Marriage affords you to live with someone who will never grow old. When

you marry her at 20 and you are 27, it seems she never grows old (only

for the fact that you are growing older too). In fact, strangely, were

it not for "Arthur," the aging process would be irrelevant to

married couples (sex, romance, intimacy, conversation, handholding have

no limits at any age).

Number 2 -

Marriage means it's two against one in this matter of child rearing. And

boy do you need the odds. The toughest job in America is that of a single

parent raising children. I encourage husbands and wives to avoid single

parenthood. Heal your marriage. Get help before blood starts to flow (perhaps

literally).

Number 1 -

Marriage is the very best place to understand and experience what Jesus

Christ is all about. Truly in marriage husband and wife express and receive

unconditional love and acceptance. The same thing Christ provides each

of us. No matter our sin, our addiction, our perversions, Christ accepts

us and works for a better you and me. That's what marriage does too. It

works for a better you and me.

John

Hatcher is pastor of

Outreach International

Center

1091 South Jeff Davis

Drive

Fayetteville, Georgia

30215

770-719-0303

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