Some years ago the USA Weekend magazine ran a cover story entitled, “Should You Be Locked Into Marriage?”  Citing 250,000 marriage to occur that month with half of them destined to end in divorce, I’d say the answer is a resounding “Yes!”  If you enter matrimony, you need to plan on staying there — permanently.

Marriage is a solemn, lifelong agreement not to be entered into or taken lightly.  Its roots date back to the Bible book of Genesis, where God, after presenting Eve to Adam, said “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”

What God has joined together, let no man separate.

My friend Bob, a long-time mid-Michigan resident, proudly told me of his upcoming 36th wedding anniversary.  He and his wife Jan are Catholic, and believe so strongly in marriage they taught Premarital Instruction for over 10 years at their church.  He explained to me what they’ve taught young couples planning to wed.  He said, “Marriage is like a job; you need to work at it.”

I later asked Bob and Jan what were some of the things couples need to work at for a successful marriage.

First and foremost, they told me, was communication.  Husbands and wives, no matter how long they have been married, need to take time to talk every day.  They must be willing to listen and be considerate of their partner.  They should try to make each other feel important and treat each other with respect.

Second, Jan says, is if there is a fight, fight fair.  In other words, don’t attack your spouse because of a disagreement, but try  to discuss the matter in a rational way.  Seek to focus on the good points.  Be willing to be wrong, or wronged, for the sake of the relationship.  Most importantly, forgive each other.  Don’t become bitter or carry grudges.

The third thing Bob and Jan told me was don’t take your spouse for granted.  When a man and a woman first meet and fall in love, they are enamored with each other. Don’t let that feeling die.  Don’t allow friends or other things to take the place of your marriage partner.  Keep that special place in your heart for him or her.

I am grateful to God for people like Bob and Jan.  You can tell they are practicing what they preach.  I am also thankful for my parents, who have been married over 62 years.  And for my wife Barb, who has stayed with me, despite my flaws, for 41 years.

Marriage is God’s idea.  He hates divorce.  My prayer is that in a day when broken relationships are normal. and where children are scarred because of divorce, the sacred institution of marriage will once again be recognized and upheld, both in practice and by law. It will again be seen as a lifelong commitment of love, “for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, as long as both shall live.”

Should you be locked in to marriage? By all means.