Marriage and Faith

Boyd and Violet Swanson
1947-2013

It takes a lot of faith to get married. To stand together on the precipice of an uncertain future and make an unconditional lifelong commitment to another flawed human being is almost a miracle in itself. The marriage vows, at their best, bid us to promise…vow…and covenant to have, to hold, to love, to cherish, to honor… to the exclusion of any rival love…“til death do us part.”

Of course every couple hopes their lives take an upward trajectory and get better, wealthier and healthier but that’s rarely the case. Every couple faces seasons of sadness, financial setbacks, painful illness, emotional estrangement, difficult relationships and loss of hope. But that shouldn’t end a marriage any more than difficulties should end our relationship with God. Those that study married couples note that couples report that their marital satisfaction is highest the first couple years after marriage and it is at the lowest when a couple is raising teens. But interestingly empty nesters report a happiness and satisfaction level even higher than when they first got married. Maybe its because happiness is accompanied with accomplishment—“We actually did it…we raised a family.”

God never promises us a trouble-free life; but he does promise to walk with us through those troubles. Marriage can be the same. Can you imagine the power of another human being saying to you, “No matter whether our lives get better or worse, wealthier or poorer, healthier or sicker, I’m committed to love, cherish, honor, and hold you until one of us dies.” Can you imagine the security that would bring? “I don’t know what the future holds but I know that it always will include you…til death do us part.”

My mother and dad were married for over 65 years. They went through better and worse, poorer and richer, and seasons of sickness and health. My dad went to be with the Lord on March 9 at 6:05am of this year. Mother stayed by his side throughout the night (with a broken hip no less) holding his hand and singing softly to him. When he was gone she kissed him on the cheek and said, “Good-bye my sweetheart and lover.” My mother joined him on August 2^nd. Not a bad love story… not a bad ending of lives well-lived.