The Joy of Marriage

Written by Michelle Medlock Adams

This article is courtesy of HomeLife.

Marriage is a beautiful thing. At times in our lives, we truly understand the depth of that truth, but we’re not always able to put it into words. In the recent film “Shall We Dance,” Susan Sarandon’s character, Beverly, put it into words for us: “We need a witness to our lives. There’s a billion people on the planet — I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you’re promising to care about everything — the good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things — all of it, all the time, every day. You’re saying, ‘Your life will not go unnoticed. … I will be your witness.”

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In this article, we offer six reasons to celebrate marriage — in the good times, the bad times, the terrible times, and the mundane times.

1. Companionship means someone really gets us. Singer-songwriter Bebo Norman didn’t realize how lonely he’d become after nine years of living solo, touring on the road. He began seeking God about that hole in his life, and God led him to a woman named Roshare. The couple agreed to be witnesses to each other’s lives a year and half ago, and they have since discovered that some of the greatest joys of marriage come in the everyday experiences that used to seem mundane.

“I love the companionship of her,” Bebo shares. “I love that we get each other. Even the day-to-day stuff is great with her.”

The love of togetherness doesn’t have to fade after the newness of marriage wears off either. Marita Littauer and her husband, Chuck Noon, who co-authored the book Love Extravagantly, like being together — even after 22 years of marriage.

“Chuck and I wear well together,” Marita says. “I once spent three days with a great girlfriend, and after just a few days, she annoyed me. But Chuck and I take every other Friday off, and we spend three full days together just hanging out around the house — and we still like each other at the end of those three days!”

“We work well together,” Chuck adds.

2. Togetherness doubles our pleasure. Josh and Sandy Siratt, of Ft. Worth, Texas, have been married three years and can’t imagine not being together. They love to share life.

“Being married is so much fun!” Sandy shares.

From going to the movies to playing with their 1-year-old daughter, Sydney Grace, the Siratts have a blast. They also find that they’ll try new things they might not have considered without some encouragement from the other.

“I am married to my best friend,” Josh says. “Sandy is fun to be around. She just makes every day wonderful.”

3. Marriage makes us better people. Kevin and Nikki Rutz of St. Louis, have been married 12 years, and in that time, they’ve learned the truth of a phrase their pastor uses: “God uses marriage to help get people holy.” The process isn’t always smooth, Nikki says, but “when two lives are combined through intimate commitment, the result is that two people’s flaws are brought to the forefront. With God’s help, the partnership of marriage can be used as a catalyst to mature our character beyond those flaws.”

Laurie and John Copeland have certainly experienced growth in their 23 years of marriage, even in the roughest storms. “Life hasn’t always been rosy; sometimes it’s even been terrible,” Laurie admits. “But John hangs in there with us. And in his quiet, unassuming way, he goes to God for answers.”

John echoes Laurie’s thoughts: “You will look back on the rough times and realize that God was helping you grow into a better person than you ever could, if it were not for your spouse,” he says. “I shudder to think where I would be now if I had not married Laurie — I did good!”

4. We have a fan. When Frank Peretti, author of the best-selling novel Monster, is speaking in front of an audience, his eyes always stop when he sees one face — his wife and best friend, Barb.

“I am up there speaking and I see her watching me,” he shares. “That means so much. She’s always believed in me. She always says, ‘You can do it. I love you. Just go for it!’”
Barb is his biggest fan and proud of it. But she doesn’t just admire his genius when it comes to writing and speaking. She admires the person he is, inside and out.

“When we first met (more than 35 years ago), it was his walk with the Lord that really drew me to him,” she shares. “My heart still swells in admiration.”

Bebo Norman appreciates his wife’s support too. “Her [Roshare’s] support of me and what I do is hugely important to me,” he says. “Not just her vocal support, but her physical support too. She does so much behind-the-scenes stuff for me. I’m blessed.”

5. We’re drawn to each other. As spouses continually pursue and attract each other over the years, they build a healthy heat supply that ignites in the space between them. The Perettis are still very much attracted to each other after 32 years of marriage. In fact, Frank looks for opportunities to steal a kiss or a hug throughout the day.

“He calls it his ‘proximity hug and kiss,’” Barb says, smiling. “Whenever I get close to him, he reaches out for me. I have a very wonderful husband.”

6. Marriage is a gift from God. When you put God in the center of your marriage, you and your spouse will be free to enjoy life — and each other — to the fullest.

“A successful marriage is hard work,” Nikki Rutz admits, “however, the more you put into it, the better it is. When two people are willing to work at marriage, there’s no limit to how good it can be.”

Frank Peretti agrees. “When your marriage is Christ-centered, you have a higher authority for determining the right way to live,” he says. “You’re building your marriage on a unique worldview” — a worldview that encourages spouses to love and sacrifice for each other and to turn to God in good times and bad. Basing your happiness in Him truly is a reason to celebrate.

Michelle Medlock Adams has been celebrating her marriage to her high-school sweetheart, Jeff, for the past 14 years.