I know a couple whose marriage is one that many would envy. This man and his wife have been married sixty years and regularly slow dance to romantic music on the deck of their boat.
I’ve watched them laugh raucously as they played a board game together. They really, truly enjoy each other. We see good marriages so little, when we see a loving marriage, we often don’t know what to think. I think jealousy in marriage can be a good thing—but not the kind of jealousy you might be thinking.
Jealousy in marriage
When I complimented the man’s sixty-year marriage, he told me his marriage is, indeed, amazing—”but we try not to flaunt it and make others feel bad.”
I disagreed. I told him, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it. Put your marriage on display for all to see. Make us all feel bad until we do something about it!”
I sincerely hope that every Christian marriage—especially the godly marriages like the couples who read this blog—would be relationships that model creativity, mutual enjoyment, and fun.
And if we can stir the world to jealousy over our vibrant marriages, then we’ll be doing something right!
Grace Marriage Mission
This week, during all of the busyness, try to genuinely compliment or display affection for your spouse in public at least once. Even if publicly blessing and loving on your spouse feels unnatural at first, it can quickly become a good habit that will strengthen your bond and be a light for those around you to see.
John 13:35 > By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Matthew 5:14-16 > You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Brad Rhoads is co-founder of Grace Marriage.