When my husband and I were married over thirty eight years ago, the pastor prayed a beautiful blessing upon our wedding vows. Thinking about these vows as Valentines Day approaches always makes me truly grateful. We had been married about fifteen years the first time I listened to the words the pastor prayed. I cried as I realized so much of his requests had actually happened in our marriage. There was just one sentence I did not understand. "As they become one they will think alike." That always puzzled me a little as I thought, NO I want to have my own thoughts. How can we think alike as he stated? Sometimes, though if we are blessed with a long and happy marriage, we still are able to learn and to understand about this hope of "becoming one". These words are written in Romans 15:4~7....."these things were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ received us, to the glory of God". Receiving one another is the way to oneness. These verses are frequently used at weddings, for they represent a beautiful and fitting description of Christian marriage. The key word is "receive" which means to "take to ones self". As God took hold of us when we were yet sinners, it is by that same grace that we are to take hold of one another in marriage. When that grace filled power is allowed to work in a family, it will transform the lives of two imperfect people into one life, lived to the praise and glory of God! It is sort of like a banner that God places over our marriage. This is the difference, my friend, in a marriage centered in Christ and just a marriage. We can begin to think alike just as the pastor prayed on our wedding day back in 1973! Sometimes, I am slow in learning these truths which give me comfort and encouragement in my own marriage. I hope, if you are married, or know someone about to step in this beautiful relationship that you will see this calling alongside another...... to help, to comfort, to give consolation or to encourage is truly one of life's greatest joys and blessings! Yes.....marriage is a oneness of "mind" too and a good marriage can be a banquet of LOVE! "He brought me to the banqueting table, and his banner over me was love". Song of Solomon 2:4
