Monday, October 4, 2010

Marriage Monday: “A Cord of Three Strands is not Quickly Broken”

This thought is based on Ecc. 4:9-12, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."  I like this poem that holds the same idea...
 
I once thought marriage took
Just two to make a go,
But now I am convinced
It takes the Lord also.

And not one marriage fails
Where Christ is asked to enter,
As lovers come together
With Jesus at the center.

But marriage seldom thrives,
And homes are incomplete,
Till He is welcomed there
To help avoid defeat.

In homes where Christ is first,
It's obvious to see,
Those unions really work,
For marriage still takes three.
Author Unknown

This is so true.  Sometimes, it even helps to have people (your pastor, maybe) help you refocus your marriage....to the important strand...the foundation...GOD!  We can only love each other the way we should because God first loved us!

"We love because he first loved us."  1 John 4:19

We can only forgive and weather life's stormy days if we model our lives after Christ. 

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."  Eph. 4:32

So, is your cord made of THREE strands??  If you need to start now to re-make your marriage cord...it's totally worth the effort!!


7 comments:

Constance said...

I think that third cord is actually the strongest but so many people don't realize the importance of God in our marriages.

Our youngest daughter gave up on her marriage after only 9 months! Had God been that third cord right from the start I am convinced that things COULD have been different. Had she relied on that third cord in the midst of their struggle, I am convinced that things WOULD have been different!

Sadly, we can not portion our faith and experiences to even our own children! It is they and they alone that must make their faith and their beliefs their own. It is our job to set the example and leave the legacy in their midst that when the time is right, they have the tools to build with!

have a blessed week!
Connie

April@The 21st Century Housewife said...

You raise a lot of really important points and you are so right! Also I love the poem - it is one I had not read before. I chose this topic as well - it is very dear to my heart!

bp said...

Enjoyed your post, that is a nice poem, thanks for sharing it with this topic today.

Mac an Rothaich said...

Well said and really appreciated the poem! I truly believe it is God who gave me this marriage and who holds it all together. Thanks for sharing!

Denise said...

Beautifully said.

Susannah said...

Awesome, "we love because He first loved us." We can hang in there through the hard times, because we have another Source of love... our Lord.

I enjoyed this poem Bobbi! Just beautiful.

Thanks for joining us for Marriage Monday today.

(((Hugs))) e-Mom ღ

Julie Arduini said...

It's all good but this comment is just amazing---We can only forgive and weather life's stormy days if we model our lives after Christ.

Amen!