Faith and Love

Situation:  The young Jaime had always put her love of her religion before everything else in her life.  She felt close to her Lord and had considered being a missionary to the poor and sick in India when she was in high school.  Her parents told her she needed to marry someone of her faith. One time she had a date with a young man of a different denomination, although she hardly knew anyone not of her faith.  She was bored with him and felt guilty but didn't tell her parents.

In college, one strictly of her own religion, she met Vincent, also a young college student of her same religion, and, in time, fell in love. Vincent went to every church service and activity that Jaime invited him to attend. Vincent gave her an engagement ring in her junior year and she was very proud of him. She felt confident that they would have a good marriage and have no problems raising the children she hoped to have, in their common faith.

The two married immediately after she graduated, moved to another state, and had two children.  To Jaime, their life seemed very good.  Every Sunday for several years, the young family attended church.  For reasons unknown to Jaime, Vincent stopped going to church.  He announced that "they're all hypocrites. I don't want to go anymore."

This was a real crisis to Jaime.  How could she raise the children in their faith if their dad didn't bother going with them to church?  Besides that, Vincent was increasingly cold and distant, not to mention unhappy and nasty.  It seemed nothing she did pleased him.

Lessons learned:  Some people grow up and find peace, joy, and comfort in the religion their parents have introduced to them.  Others never have attended a church in their youth.  Some people sample many faiths before choosing one.  Difficulties occur when husband and wife are both strong in different religions or when one is strong and the other doesn't care.  I have heard quite a few people say, "I feel so lonely in my religion.  My wife (or husband) will never come with me.  I always have to go alone."

There are several young couples of my acquaintance who are 'mixed' couples, one party a Christian, the other a non-Christian. I will wait to see how they handle things when their children are old enough to attend their churches.

Outcome:  As the years went on, Jaime tried to find out why Vincent suddenly lost faith.  The only thing she could figure out was that he never really was interested in church because he only went when she asked him.  If his faith meant much to him, he probably would have gone to other events and even invited her to come with him.  In the end, Vincent's meanness destroyed the family and despite the ban on divorce from their religion, they separated.

Our take-away:  If you are a person very strong in your religion, it would be wise to choose a mate who is similarly strong.  Remember what the Bible says, "Do not be unequally yoked."

Lord, on this Sunday, Your Day, help us be strong in the way we worship you.  Help us have friends and companions who encourage us.  Help us be good examples to others, we pray!