One Flesh

There’s a video going around social media. Maybe you’ve seen it (if not, you can watch it here.) It’s about why wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger. I’m not sure if it’s the actual reason, but it sure does bring home a point. When your hands are put together as shown in the photo you are able to separate your thumbs, (symbolizing your parents-”for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother” Genesis 2:24a) your index fingers (symbolizing your siblings) and your pinkies, (symbolizing your children) but try as you might, your ring fingers are stuck together. (symbolizing you and your spouse-”and the two shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24b) 

Our family tried this one night around the dinner table. My daughter pointed out that when your middle fingers (symbolizing yourself) are tip to tip (above others and your relationships with them), your ring fingers easily come apart. But when your middle fingers are down (serving others), your ring fingers are glued together.  “Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:9

Wow! What a picture of marriage. How close a husband and wife become. Not just physically, but in all areas of life-emotionally, financially, intellectually, spiritually, even recreationally. So close, that it takes a ripping of the flesh (and the heart) to separate them.  

Sometimes, as a wife, I get selfish. I put myself above my husband. Sometimes I put myself before my children, my parents and my sibling. Sometimes I like to think about what I want and need. Why didn’t they call on my birthday? Why aren’t they coming to visit? Why isn’t he coming home? Why don’t they just listen to me? Don’t they love me? It’s times like that when all the relationships in my life suffer, but especially my marriage. When I’m thinking of myself, my husband doesn’t look so good. But when I put myself last-let Christ fill me and let His love shine through me-it’s amazing how great my future looks! Empowered to take on challenges, able to see the blessings in the unexpected, willing to listen to my God and follow His lead. A marriage built on Christ is good indeed.

So what does all this have to do with living pro life?

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up, But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Unexpected pregnancies happen. They even happen within a marriage. An expectant mother with support is far more likely to carry her child. Maybe that support is her husband, maybe it’s her parents, maybe it’s you and your spouse. 

 The latest stats from 2014 show that married women are more likely to keep their child. 

Copied from WI Dept. of Health Services Reported Induced Abortions

A woman that has the proper view of marriage, and has had a good example growing up, is less likely to become pregnant before marriage. In Wisconsin in 2014, almost 78% of abortions were the choice of unmarried women. Model a godly marriage for your children-and all those around you.  Make marriage something they want, something they respect, something they’re willing to wait for. Build your marriage on Christ, putting yourself last (middle fingers down), and you will be a life-giving couple.

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1

---

Author: Katrina Meinel

Katrina is super psyched for the WELS Marriage Enrichment weekend this weekend!