Ecclesiastes 4:9(NLT)
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.”
“Didn’t expect the two of them to make it at all, and they’re celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary.” Statements like this one were made after a popular couple recently celebrated their five-year wedding anniversary. The husband, Devonte, had many obstacles to overcome in life, including a criminal history that had landed him a few years in prison in his younger years. His wife, Latasha, had her MBA and although she wanted to get married in the future, she had soured on the possibility until she met Devonte. He’s a very humble person who totally supports everything she does. He has her back 100%, and she had never experienced that kind of devotion and loyalty from anyone she had dated in the past.
People who knew them when they first started going out didn’t have much confidence the two would make it past their first date, let alone get married. Everyone had their own preconceived notions about what was important to Devonte and Latasha, and none of those things turned out to be reality. A very good friend and sister-in-Christ once told me that when a praying man truly loves a woman, she will respond to him in ways that surprise her, and the peace of God will rest on their union. Many of us have become so cynical about relationships that we don’t believe this. We haven’t given ourselves the gift of seeing marriage this way; therefore, we don’t see it in the way God intended it to be. The reality is that if we will see God’s love as the overwhelming power it is, we’ll have the greatest confidence in the institution of marriage. We would not limit ourselves or others but have confidence that God will work through us and our spouses, and His love will always hold the union together because His love never fails.
Good love starts from within, and within is where the love of God in Christ lives. It’s where a healthy love for self and others is cultivated. Jesus Christ commanded us in Mark 12:30(NLT), “And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” This all-encompassing love for God is what He deserves, and when we love God this way, we will have faith in His provision and will never question it. Latasha had faith in God, but her heart had been broken a few times, and before meeting Devonte, she had made herself content with life as a single woman. Growing up, her family was very poor, but her parents were loving and kind people, and she was most definitely daddy’s little girl. She wanted what her parents had, but after a few bad breakups, she started to believe that finding a man like her father wasn’t likely.
Devonte was her brother’s friend and mechanic, and although she knew of his interest in her early on, it wasn’t until after running for almost a year that she finally conceded to his invitation to lunch. His respect for her reminded her of her dad’s love for her mother. Devonte’s and Latasha’s relationship was slow, but it had strong roots and it grew. It was quiet and sweet, and they both were fiercely protective of it. Even her brother had reservations, and very few of their friends were supportive, but they prayed for each other and they prayed for their relationship. They weathered every storm and fit together beautifully, even if no one saw it but them.
When two people are truly dedicated to one another and they place each other’s welfare above their own, they strengthen their unity. Proverbs 18:22 tells us that a man that finds a wife, finds a treasure, and he receives God’s favor. This should be the most important aspect to us, that we see concrete evidence that the man values us as God’s treasure, and that we also see God’s favor on this man.
Devonte and Latasha have harmony in their relationship, and this brings a special brand of fulfillment, peace and joy, and this special combination of good stuff surrounds their lives together. The fact that they both had the peace of God within them before they met has laid a wonderful foundation on which they’ve built their union. Harmony starts from within, and it will filter through every aspect of our lives. Most single women that desire marriage are using a faulty filter, because they filter all their decisions through wanting to meet the man they will marry. This desire of theirs takes up all the space in their minds and hearts. Pleasing God requires that our hearts and minds are consumed with pleasing Him. So, if we’re too focused on meeting the man and not focused enough on pleasing God with our whole lives, we need to change our prayers and ask the Father for help in this area.
Devonte and Latasha both brought to the table a wealth of experience gleaned from the mistakes and poor choices of their pasts. They were wiser and careful, and this is the kind of maturity any person seeking marriage should have. They are extremely intentional about honoring God through Jesus Christ, and they succeed together because of this. God blesses their relationship and keeps their union thriving. He will do the same for us when our hearts remain in harmony with His Will. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Together, We Can Succeed”, written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2022. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.