* Let God be the cord that binds you and your partner. *
****
  The duo laid on the couch cuddling as they listened to a sermon by a preacher of the word. 
   “ Marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman… ” the preacher went on to explain what he meant by that. 
“ Marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled. ”
“ Christian marriage should be a representation of the relationship between Christ and the church. ”
“ Husbands are to love their wives as their own flesh, while the wives are to submit themselves to their own husbands. ” 
“ Your marriage is the first church your children will attend and the first gospel they'll hear. ”
“ Christian marriages are meant to be a vehicle of salvation to the world, but sadly it's becoming the  exact opposite. ”
“ Why do the devil attack christian marriages? Why are Christian marriages faced with so many battles and challenges? ” 
“ Let's go back to the first marriage in the Bible which was at Eden. Adam and Eve’s marriage was everything we could ever dream of in a marriage. But that was until the devil came and made it the exact opposite of what it was destined to be. ”
“ Initially, christian marriages were created for the sole purpose of bringing glory to the father, without any incidence of pain or trials. But it's different now. ”
“ Nowadays, some marriages are being faced with so many challenges that they end up resulting in divorce. ”
“ But is divorce actually bringing glory to God? ”
“ What Godly example are we showing to the world when christian marriages which are meant to be a light end up in divorce? ”
“ How do we showcase Christ with so many marriages ending in divorce? ”
“ What are the solutions? ” 
“ First, we have to acknowledge that there's a battle to fight. Not acknowledging that won't do any good. ”
“ Secondly, you have to prepare your mind ahead. You have to realize that the devil is not happy with your marriage and will do all he can to destroy it.  ”
“ Thirdly, you and your spouse both have to seek God's face in prayer. Ask for strength to prevail even in hard times. If one thing, marriage is not a bed of roses. It's far from being perfect and dream-like. ”
“ Marriage is a place where we learn and grow. When you meet couples who have been married for fifty years and more, they'll tell you that it wasn't all rain and sunshines. They'll tell you about the days they both wanted to simply throw in the towel… but the grace of God was sufficient as it enabled them to be patient. ”
  
“ Lastly, you have to pray for grace to be perseverant. If you claim to be patient. Marriage will test that patience. The only way a couple can have a successful marriage is by relying on God and staying with him. Outside of that, it won't work. ” 
The sermon ended with a short prayer for couples and an admonition that Godly marriage was worth it all.
Mira adjusted her position and now had her face on Joseph's bare chest. 
While he had his hands on her bare stomach. They've both agreed to dress a bit little for now as they are in their honeymoon phase.
So Mira was putting on a pink crop top, with a white brazier underneath, and white shorts. Joseph on the other hand was on blue boxer briefs.
“ What do you think about the sermon, Babe? ” Joseph spoke up after a while of silence.
“ Well… I believe it's something we both needed to hear. ”
“ Um… ” Joseph trailed off as he traveled down the memory lane. “ If my parents had heard this, they might have been able to save their marriage. ” 
Sensing the emotion in his words, Mira embraced him tightly, not saying a word as she figured he simply needed her to be there, and not to start hitting him with her opinions of what should be and not be.  “ They started out beautifully. ”  he paused.  “ So many beautiful wedding pictures and honeymoon pictures. There were so many pictures of their youthful days. ”
“ They got married at the prime of their youth, 19 and 21. Everyone had high expectations as they were so much in love… ” 
“ I came in after two years of marriage and it seemed like I was just what their marriage was waiting for as Joy filled the air. ”
“ Years passed and my mom tried serverally for a child. She desperately wanted a female child. But she couldn't get pregnant. It almost felt like her womb was blocked. Yet the doctors saw nothing. ”
“ Years passed and her resolve began to break, but she kept enduring. That was until she heard my Dad was having an affair with his secretary and that was the last straw. ” 
“ I came back from school one day and couldn't find her anywhere. ” He sniffed. “ She left, Babe. She really did. ”  Mira started drawing soothing circles on his back to comfort him. 
“ I had thought she'll come back, but she never did. Not only her, but my Dad also abandoned me. ” 
“ They started out well. but their marriage ended in divorce. ” 
Those words hit Mira like knives.
“ But ours will be different as it was founded on the rock. The solid Rock of Christ. ” 
“ Yeah… ” 
Joseph wiped out the lone tear that fell out of the corner of his eyes and embraced his bride.  “ Our marriage will advertise Christ in the greatest of ways. Christ will be glorified through our marriage, in Jesus Name. ”
“ Amen. ”
They stood up from the couch and went back to their room where they knelt beside the bed and prayed, holding hands.
“ Lord, you have made this union. 
Help us to grow in you. 
Advertise your glory through us.
Make us your battle ax.
Teach us by yourself. 
Continue to be the cord that binds us together. 
We need you.
We can't do it without you. 
Help us, Lord.
Hold our hands and let us grow together in you. ”
“ In Jesus Name, we've prayed. ”
“ Amen. They said in unison, opening their eyes. ”
Next, they sat on the bed as they read 1 Corinthians 13. A verse they've grown to fall in love with. 
This time, vs stood out for them as it says. “ Prophecy and speaking in tongues will fade away but love will last forever. ”
Which means, love will never die.
They exchanged gazes as the intensity of those words hit them..
“ Lord, teach us how to love. ” their desperation led them into the presence of this savior.
“ Abide in me and I'll give you the desires of your heart. ” The deep still voice rang in the room. 
“ Thank you, father. ” They bowed as the presence of their father filled the room. 
“ Thank you, Jesus. ”
….
A/N : Oh geez. This is exactly how I want my marriage to be.