Wedded Bliss
I continue to wonder how things can go so wrong. On what ought to be an exciting and happy day, it never ceases to amaze me what people do, or have done, in the hours (days, weeks) preceding the ceremony.
Sometimes pre-marital counseling helps blunt the shocking reality of two people coming together in a relationship that changes everything. Unfortunately, many couples have already lived together prior to the wedding, and that just adds to the probability that things will go wrong. Prior marriages, or relationships that have included those things reserved for marriage create impossible expectations, and often almost insurmountable obstacles.
(If you are wondering how I know these things – I have been counseling regarding marriage for over 40 years)
Once in a while the “happenings” are incredibly bad. Observe:
A bride-to-be is charged with murder after allegedly stabbing her fiance just hours before the couple’s wedding was to start near Whitehall, Pa. Na Cola Darcel Franklin, 31, and her fiance Billy Rafael Brewster, 36, were planning to tie the knot at 10 a.m. on Saturday, but at some point during the night, Franklin and Brewster began arguing . . . .” (ABC News.com)
I can’t help but wonder what they argued about. Kids (they already had some), money, past relationships, who would set the agenda for the future, or maybe even the role of in-laws in the ceremony? Who knows.
Marriage is such a fragile, delicate, wonderful, exciting entity in the beginning. And, carried out properly, becomes, in the long term, the greatest gift life can give us. (The only greater gift, which comes from God, is redemption from the curse of sin and death)
But there are “rules.” God’s design is perfect – but so few seems to find that design, fulfill it, and discover the infinite beauty of two lives becoming one.
For this couple – one is dead. The other will spend some time in prison, most likely. Kids and in-laws and friends are forever damaged by their actions. What ought to be the greatest gift a man and woman can give to each other becomes the greatest tragedy in their life (and death, for him).
Will we ever learn – obedience to Truth is not optional if we are to have the life for which we were created.