How do your children view marriage?

 Have you ever wondered why so many young adults are choosing cohabitation and premarital sex over the traditional view of marriage?  There may be many reasons, but I’ve witnessed one in particular in many of the marriages around me.  We don’t give kids a good view of marriage as they grow up. As we focus on careers and raising children, we don’t show children a glimpse into the passion, excitement, and joy that comes with marriage.  Why would the next generation want traditional marriage if we aren’t giving them a glimpse into any of the best parts?

One of the best moments of my relationship with Ashley illuminates the best Bible verse. The most exciting passage of the Bible for me is Revelation 21:2. “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

I’ve had a lot of excitement in life.  Through teary eyes I’ve seen the amazing births of my children. I’ve thrown a no-hitter, won tennis tournaments, and run a full marathon.  I’ve completed a Tough Mudder, a Spartan Race, and a Muckfest.  I’ve jumped from an 83-foot waterfall and spelunked in the deep dark recesses of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee cave systems.  I’ve seen rainbows in Siberia and sat in solitude on a mountain top in Honduras.

Yet, I can’t remember any one of those experiences generating as much excitement, passion, and an overwhelming sense of joy as the moment the doors in the back of the auditorium opened at Millview Church of Christ, on June 5, 2004.  The sunlight danced and radiated around Ashley as she was exposed to my eyes for the first time in her wedding dress.  She was stunningly, weak-in-the knees, take-your-breath-away gorgeous.  Not a one of those amazing experiences mentioned earlier compare with the vision God gave me of my bride beautifully dressed for her husband on our wedding day.

 Maybe it was because we had anticipated and prepared for the wedding for so long, since the moment we started dating.  Maybe it was because we had saved sexual intimacy for the wedding night.  Maybe it was because I was about to kiss Ashley on the lips for the very first time ever.  Whatever the reason, I was ecstatic and exuberant at the sight of my soon-to-be wife as she floated up the aisle to stand hand-in-hand before me.  I’ve smiled a lot, but I don’t know if I’ve ever smiled bigger than that moment.

If a momentary vision on earth can be that wonderful, then how amazing will it be to see something like it and even better in heaven?    John writes, “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

For my family, I choose to share that marriage moment and that Bible verse regularly with my kids, giving them something exciting to look forward to in their own life and relationships. So what exciting moments in your marriage can you share with your kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews?  Share what’s been so great about your marriage and family, and pray that those beautiful children get to enjoy some of the same experiences in their life time!  May you be blessed as you build your family forte!