A Marriage Message

By |Published On: July 3, 2017|Categories: News|

Marriage MessageAs a quadriplegic, I can’t always get my breath. My lung capacity is very low, and right before a recent speaking engagement, I was really struggling. I had to ask my husband Ken to pound on my back to help loosen my lungs. I wasn’t on stage five minutes when I needed help again. Ten more minutes into my message, and again, Ken had to come up to help me. He did this five times! I could tell the audience was a little concerned; I felt embarrassed. With so many interruptions, I kept thinking my message was ruined.

But afterward, our host said that people kept commenting, “What a powerful message; I really need to be a better husband to my wife!” I was confused — my talk was about the sanctity of life! But our host said, “Joni, watching Ken help you cough? It made for a great message about marriage.” That day I learned that building up others in Christ has less to do with what we say, and more to do with what people see. It’s like 1 John 3:18, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Friend, having a healthy marriage is a powerful way to demonstrate Christ’s love. So today, as Ken and I celebrate 35 years of marriage, I am praising God not only for sustaining and growing our relationship, but for the impact it has had on others. Are you weary in your marriage—maybe feeling on the verge of giving up? Hang in there; ask Jesus to help you love your spouse through your actions. Your perseverance will bless your marriage, and be an example for others to follow.

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