By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC
We know marriage is beautiful, starting with the care put into what is usual within the ceremonies. We always hope for happiness.
One of the most deadly happenstance within marriages comes with failing to talk it out when a hurtful matter comes to the fore and needs in-depth understanding, plus forgiveness. If this step does not take place one wanting to “get even” with the other can result. Similarly, thinking something is owed “on account of” can be just as harmful. The dynamics are mostly played out subtly. At such a point, emotions will fester, become sore. Most likely, professional help is now needed so the couple can clearly see the “matters at hand.”
Power struggles are deadly once one-upmanship creeps in. The marriage can begin slipping downwards towards the point of losing its blissful tender, loving care.
Men look most powerful due to their strengths and power to lead and protect the families as they build them. On the other hand women may appear to have been given the most powerful of all abilities as we women bear children. Surely we know it is not about competition. We need each other in order to fulfill the first of all commandment God gave to humankind recorded in Genesis 1:28, to “Be fruitful and multiply,” delivered within the Garden of Eden.
One of the greatest of all blessings comes through the fact most often the love experienced between men and women brings children into the world. It may seem bearing children in our bodies could mean God has granted women the most powerful of all abilities. Yet, as a woman reading the Bible I recognize God made men and women equal although different in important ways.
Honoring our differences alongside respecting the fact our strengths and abilities are supportive holds great power—a power that helps to keep peace in the world—and can keep peace in our homes. As an aside, Gary says with tongue in cheek, “At our house we have ‘family headship’ shaped through the years by the equality felt. During differences of opinion we occasionally resort to: ‘rock, paper, scissors’ for levity.”
A truth that is amazing comes with this fact: almost without exception God is represented in the written Word of God as speaking to men. Surely this is based on the truth that for the safety of all, men must lead; they are major players when it comes to making/keeping the world a safe place to live as well as in our homes.
Genesis 1:26-27, assures us that we are “made in the image of God.” We are here to bless and show love to each other—and to all. That passage of Scripture infers we humans are created with a moral, spiritual and intellectual nature like God’s. That is a stance we, with God’s help, can grow into; while doing so we beautify our marriages. |
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