Mike sent the following message. There’s a lot of truth in it.
You may have already heard this one. Seems like it would be a “pastor joke”.
Blessings to you, Tom
“A minister was planning a wedding at the close of the Sunday morning service.
After the benediction, he had planned to call the couple down for a brief ceremony in front of the congregation.
For the life of him, he couldn’t think of the names of those who were to be married.
“Will those wanting to get married please come to the front?” he requested.
Immediately, nine single ladies, three widows, four widowers, and six single men stepped to the front.”
Most people want to be in relationship with others. This includes marriage. And while the United Methodist Church does not consider marriage to be a sacrament, I think it should.
Our sacraments are signs and symbols of God’s never failing love for us. A healthy marriage mirrors God’s love and commitment. Think about it.
A marriage revolves around a promise to love, honor, and cherish in sickness and health.
Our relationship with God revolves around a promise and commitment to never desert us and walk us through both the good and bad of this life.
A healthy marriage means Shannon doesn’t put a pillow over my head when I’m asleep and collect the insurance money. She has committed to never give up.
As difficult as we can be, God has promised to never give up.
A healthy marriage involves making sacrifices for the other person.
God sacrificed his only Son.
A healthy marriage is a place where you can be completely open and vulnerable.
A relationship with God means being completely open and vulnerable.
The list goes on and on….
So, if you are blessed enough to be in a healthy marriage, give God thanks.
If your marriage is not the blessed union you hoped for, work on it. God will help. All you have to do is ask.
Paul described this sort of wonderful love in both a marriage and a relationship with God by saying, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” ( 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)
Always remember, your relationship with God is a holy sacrament filled with God’s patience, commitment, and love. That’s as good as it gets.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me see all relationships as sacred. Give me wisdom, humility, compassion, and grace. Let me love others the way you love me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Today is a new day. Make it sacred.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 