There has been a lot of buzz going around this week over at The Light Network in regards to our newest campaign – to shine the light on the darkness of domestic violence. Next month, the majority of podcasts on the network will be focusing on different aspects of this terrible perversion of God’s design for the home. Please help us support this campaign by buying a t-shirt or simply by sharing these episodes as they come out in October.

Throughout this week, marriage has been on my mind a lot, and since Thursdays are my pray for Robert days, my own marriage has come to the forefront of my thoughts. To add to it, Robert officiated a wedding Wednesday evening, and we all know weddings make us think about marriage =)

And so today I am thankful. I am thankful that God created guidelines and principles for marriages. I am thankful He saw fit to instruct husbands to love their wives and dwell with them with understanding (Eph. 5:25, 1 Peter 3:7). I am thankful that God gives me specific roles wherein I can find purpose, such as submitting to my husband and keeping my home (Eph. 5:22, Titus 2:5). I am thankful that God made marriage life-long, so that I don’t have to worry whether my husband will leave me for someone else. I am thankful that God requires my husband love Him more, so I never have to question the choices I submit to. Mostly, though, I am thankful for the greatest physical blessing my life knows, and that is my Robert.

Marriage gets a bad rap these days, but it’s not marriage’s fault. When imperfect people try to define marriage and decide how it should be done, it will fall apart. But when imperfect people follow and adhere strictly to a Perfect God’s design, it will stick tighter than our human minds can fathom.

Praise be to my Creator for creating such a wonderful man for me. There were many days and weeks of my life that I questioned who this man was or if I would even be blessed with him, but God answered me in a way that is exceedingly, abundantly above anything teen-Emily could possibly dream up.

If you are single and waiting, please know that Godly marriages are worth the wait. Worth the struggle.

If you are in a marriage that is unhappy or unfulfilling, please take a closer look at God’s Word and pattern your role after His will. After all, you can only change you.

If you are in a marriage that is sinful, please know that isn’t God’s plan for you. God’s plan for you is to be holy, and holy at any cost, knowing that no cost we could pay is greater than the cost that was paid for our redemption.

If you are in a marriage where you are sinful, please study God’s word and repent of the wickedness, and flee from it. Get rid of your computer if your marriage is plagued by a pornography addiction. Go to counseling (and allow your family a safe haven) if you are tempted to abuse your spouse or children. Whatever it takes, get rid of Satan’s grips on your marriage. He wants to destroy you. He wants to destroy your marriage and your family and your life. Don’t give him the pleasure of winning the battle.

And if you are in a marriage where your spouse is doing all they can to be God’s servant, praise God for them. Thank God for them. Thank them for blessing you. Never take them for granted, and use their faithfulness to God to inspire you to be better for them (and Him) day by day.

I am thankful to God for my marriage. I am thankful to the many Christian brothers and sisters I have who are living God’s plan for marriage, and who inspire me and other newlyweds daily. Most of all, though, I am indebted to God for creating this beautiful plan, and for creating the plan to save both me and my husband!