The mother is the one supreme asset of the national life.  She is more important, by far, than the successful salesman, or businessman, or artist or scientist.  — Theodore Roosevelt

Few would argue the merits of attending conferences for professional development or other personal improvements. However, the fact that my wife and I recently went to our 8^th FamilyLife Weekend to Remember Marriage Conference in Newport, Rhode Island may invite a certain level of ridicule. Our “modern” culture, after all, does little to encourage the traditional institution of marriage. In many forums around the world, there is a heavy push to twist, mock, and redefine it to fit any number of personal preferences, which inevitably leads to its devaluation and reduction of the sacred bond.

We frequent FamilyLife marriage conferences so often because we are reminded of what marriage is from a godly perspective.  To review that Cynthia and I are different by divine design and made to complement rather than compete with each other always brings us lively hope.  We get to confirm we are not enemies but God’s frontline connection (in His order) to live and positively affect other people’s lives, especially in our own blended family.

Every conference we’ve attended has selected couples or an individual who make presentations over the weekend.  They effectively share their life’s journey, including major struggles in their resolve to make it in their respective marriages. Their testimonies of daunting challenges always encourage us deeply and bring a comforting reality that we’re in this battle together.  At some level, it seems like we’re marital rookies in awe of proven veterans.  The speakers, however, never come to hover above us in some majestic lecturing pattern, but to gently land down beside us to reveal that they are called helpers to develop and inspire us.

In these gatherings, we witness that it doesn’t matter if people were there who had been married for fifty years without a fight, or were married for fifteen minutes of all out war.  The firm belief is this: Marriage is God’s idea, and His promise is to provide the provision to go along with it.  The struggle of the marital union is where God’s beautiful friction for learning and growth resides.  The key is not to quit.  We learn anew that God radically loves us, generously forgives us, and enthusiastically encourages us.

Family and friends, we have nothing against attending conferences for professional development or other personal improvements.  Our purpose here in today’s message is to promote a weekend environment where living, laughing, loving, and learning about marriage from God’s point of view is the focus.

We know that as a married couple, Cynthia and I have a long way to go.  It’s when our children, spouses, and twelve grandchildren come to mind that our resolve to continue and to grow activates.  We’re grateful to FamilyLife’s Ministry and their marriage conferences that provide us with help for today, hope for tomorrow, and the solid reason we eagerly anticipate our 9^th conference next year

Gen 1-3; Eph 4-6; 1 Cor 13; Col 3: 12-17

e-mail: templeministry@comcast.net