During the month of February, we are excited to profile a different couple each day on our Blog site. We have asked each couple to share their answers to specific questions concerning marriage and family. The couples we have invited are at different stages in their marriage… Some have been married for decades while others for a few years. There are even couples who are separated with hopes of reconciling as well as couples currently experiencing a challenging time in their marriage. The one thing all of these couples have in common is their willingness to share “real” insights to help strengthen other marriages, families, and those desiring to be married.
Marriages are NOT all perfect and just because there are challenges doesn’t mean it cannot evolve into a GREAT marriage. Challenges = Growth Opportunities.
Our intention is to create more realistic depictions of marriage…the “real” deal and what it takes to make a marriage work. As you will realize by reading these couples’ insights, GREAT marriages don’t just happen. They take conscious effort and continuous work.
So let us learn from their wisdom. Feel free to chime in and ask questions or even just share your thoughts. After reading today’s insights, post your comment to the question: “What did I learn from today’s insights?” Let’s continue sharing insights. It is our desire to create a dialog so we all learn from others’ experiences and mistakes because this will help create more healthier marriages and families. Join the movement!
Let’s now read some insights from Tarek and Kim Grantham (married 11.5 Years and 2 Children)…
How important a role does God play in your marriage and family?
God is very important because He gave us His Son, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is the foundation of our marriage. Without Him, we would not be married, truly! With Him, we can have a fulfilling, happy, and peaceful marriage full of joy and love. We practice relying on God for everything for we believe it is only through the power that we have in Christ that we can exist as two distinct individuals, and operate as one in our marriage relationship.
We have learned that in order for our marriage relationship to grow and mature, we must exercise unconditional love for each other. Unconditional love requires submission. This is not a popular aspect of marriage, but a critical one that we’ve learned in God’s Word and latched onto. We submit to one another out of reverence for Christ who loved us unconditionally.
For us, submission means that Kim, as Tarek’s wife, submits to Tarek, her husband, who submits unto the Lord. Tarek is the head of Kim as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also Kim practices submitting to Tarek in everything. Tarek practices loving Kim just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her. We understand the importance of submission as it is a key component of marriage that is central to bring about unity and oneness.
We practice submission in all of our decision-making. In areas where Tarek has strength, he leads and Kim submits. In areas where Kim has strength, she leads and Tarek submits. Ultimately, God holds Tarek accountable for all decisions; therefore the ultimate responsibility rests with him. As a result, in new, challenging or surprising situations, Tarek gathers the relevant information with Kim, they pray about it, and ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit, and then Tarek makes the final call and Kim follows.
We practice never making any major decisions without each other’s input. God knows that husbands and wives will not always agree in every aspect of life, which is one important reason He spelled out an order to keep peace and unity within marriages. We allow Christ to dwell within us to receive guidance by the Holy Spirit such that our marriage can be aligned with God’s order. We have found that there is no other way for our marriage to survive and grow, except through the power of Christ and following His order. Do read Ephesians 5:21-33 and try God at His word, and see how He will bless your marriage.
Post your comments to either one or both of these questions: “What insights did I enjoy reading from this couple?” “What do I have to add that may help others in their relationships?”
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