Satisfying Marriage

A 73-year-old man in Tokyo, whose wife died sometime ago, exchanged vows with a 69-year-old woman who had agreed to live with him.

Thinking of the mistakes they made in their first marriages, they worked hard at it and typed out 18 pledges to each other, including:

We acknowledge the differences in our sense of values and ways of thinking.

We individually own the articles in our respective rooms and keep our respective bank passbooks, but share expenses.

We will enjoy our life together to the fullest.

If one of us gets angry, he or she will pay a penalty of 10,000 yen. (US$118; GB£75; R800)

“We have separate families and separate assets built up over the years,” the man said. “The 18 promises we made to each other reflect our desire to ensure that our new life doesn't conflict with our prior lives established from before.” The woman agreed and their children on both sides agreed.

Source: Yomiuri News, 2005-01-06

True believers in Christ do not agree to live together just by a set of rules, as a directive for happiness. The standard of the Bible is much higher that that!

Husbands, love your wives,
just as Christ loved the church
and gave himself up for her
(Ephesians 5:25, NIV).

When Jesus made a covenant with us, He held nothing back, not even His life!

If a couple cannot give of themselves freely in a marriage covenant, perhaps the marriage should be re-considered.

Trusting your spouse completely is the essence of a satisfying marriage!

(From Neil Verwey, missionary in Japan)