My friend and I were visiting a church sister who had lost a family member when we heard some of the most discouraging things about marriage. I was 19, fresh out of the university and looking forward to who will marry me. Is that not what we were taught to look forward to when we finish school? Besides, I could cook and clean. How could a girl be more ready?
My bubbles got burst with the conversation that ensued during our visit. As we sat in our little ladies' corner in that house of mourning, we listened to two married ladies from our church lecture us passively on why marriage is not important. With pale faces and melancholic voices, they lamented on how this thing they had gotten into called marriage wasn't worth anything.
"It is for men nah!"
One of them declared.
"Do we even need that thing???"
One asked rhetorically.
I left that house, quite unsure if I wanted to ever get married. I mean, if these ladies had free and legal access to "that thing" and couln't even enjoy it then what was the point? I thought "that thing" took people to lala land and made their bodies go tontoli tontoli. What was the point in marrying someone and not even enjoying it. What was the point a man just to serve him and be miserable? My friend and I looked at each other and concluded that we had just taken a course in the marriage discouragement university.
Nowadays, discouraging satements and cues about marriage are present everywhere. Considering how powerful what we see or hear is, these "marriage discouragement universities" could make the single person be anti-marriage and could make the married person, pro-divorce. But I tell you my friend, mariage is one of the sweetest, most thrilling and satisfying experiences a human can ever have.
Without futher ado, here are seven reasons marriage is important:
1. You share your life with someone
The Lord God said, "it is not good for man to be alone" then He made the woman. God, the creator of the universe said aloneness was not good then He instituted marriage. Companionship makes life better. Research had proven that marriage makes people live longer. You don't have to go through the highs, lows and in-betweens of life alone. You have someone you can go through these things with. "Two are better than one," Ecclesiastes 4: 9.
2. Sex
Yes, sex. Guilt-free sex with a cherry on top. It relieves stress, makes you feel better about yourself and produces babies. Sex out of marriage is never the same thing. The Bible terms it sexual immorality. It is defiling the body God gave you. Though it may seem pleasurable, it comes with repercussions. But within marriage? Ride on! "Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth. As a loving hind and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; Be exhilarated always with her love." Proverbs 5: 18-19
3. It is a divine idea
God started this thing called marriage and He is a good father. He wants you to be married. It is a gift from Him. "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.'‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." Mark 10: 6-9
4. It teaches love
You may begin your marriage by being head-over-heels in love but with time, you will have to learn how to love. And there's nothing more beautiful than loving intentionally. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." I Corinthians 13: 4-8
5. It is healthy for the nation
A nation with strong marriages is a really strong one. Good marriages are the bedrock of any solid society. "Traditional marriage between a man and woman has been a cornerstone of our society for generations."
6. It is healthy for kids
Even as an adult, I rejoice that my mama and dada live together and are in love with each other. How much more growing kids? One of the best things a couple can do for kids is to provide them with a strong marital model. When marriages break, kids break. But when marriages are strong, the kids that come from that marriage witness first hand the power of unity.
7. You grow up
Marriage makes you grow up really fast. You get matured because, you now have another human being apart from yourself to deal with. The growing up lessons you learn in marriage can be well applied to other areas of life.
“What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life–to strength each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?”
Go forth and marry/enjoy your marriage!
Do you know any more reasons why marriage is important? Add below!
Cheechee Live says
I agree!You share those bad bad moments with someone you love and someone that loves you back.No holds barred and no judgement etc.I love my marriage,I don't know about any other person but I chose well and I feel blessed.
http://www.cheecheelive.com
favour moyse says
I've seen good marriages. My father has one and a lot of friends too.. So I don't even entertain negativity about marriage
HELP! THESE PREACHERS ARE ON MY CASE
Precious Nkeih says
Thank God. There's nothing like knowing that you are with the right spouse.
Precious Nkeih says
Good for you, Favour.
Seraph says
Well done sis. This is good
Precious Nkeih says
After the experience of knowing God, marriage is the sweetest thing ever.
Precious Nkeih says
Thank you!
Precious Nkeih says
Being optimistic is the way to go, dear. Especially in today's world where many are so negative.
Nedoux says
Hi Precious,
How've you been?
I love how you wrap your meaningful messages with engaging humour.
@ "That thing" " tontoli tontoli" Lol
The way I see it, marriage becomes worthwhile when one is married to the right person, one who they are compatible with. 100% Love might not necessarily be there at the "I do" stage, but it could grow over time with mutual respect.
My favourite part about marriage is companionship. 🙂
I really learned from this insightful post. Thank you for sharing.
Precious Nkeih says
I'm good Nedoux! This blog has missed you, darling.
When you are married to the right person, it is so worth it. The foundation is really important. I love the companionship bit too.
Thanks for your kind words, darling.
S2C says
Maybe because of my faith sha but I am very optimistic about marriage.
God designed it and I believe that he loves me, so therefore I don't entertain any negativity as Favour said.
S2C
Kachee Tee says
Marriage with the right person is amazing!! One of the best things to ever happen to me!
KacheeTee.com
6 Questions on our Igbo Yoruba Inter-Ethnic Marriage
Precious Nkeih says
Exactly! Marry your best friend and have better days ahead.
Tessy Onyia says
Well said darling!...För me I'd say marry your best friend..my parents showed us what real marriage is all about and am happy I married my best friend/soul mate, it always gets better.
http://www.tessyonyia.com
EkanemUK says
When you say "marry yhur best friend", Pls Wht do you mean?
Joy2Endure says
You can share a lot with a friend but there are certain things that only a marriage mate can provide and that is a fact. Some may make up the choice to remain single, others become single by circumstances, nevertheless, despite its thorns, marriage is one of the best gifts of God to his human children and you appreciate it more when you put more effort into it.
I once asked an aunt why she was so negative about marriage, dishing out advice to people any how and I told her if she has marital issues, she should solve it rather than bastardize the institution completely.
The points raised make a lot of sense and your sense of humour very noticebale.
for those of you who are there already, keep making the best out of it.
Precious Nkeih says
How I love reading your comments!
You ova get sense ya, sis.
We'll certainly keep making the best out of it. Thank you!
Angele marie says
great piec,, it is so true and the sense of humour makes it even sweeter to read. Another reason marriage is important is that you have someone u trust that comes handy when you need to gossip . I can gossip my sisters and sisters in law anyhow and they will never find out because Mr man does not even listeN,, lol
Precious Nkeih says
Hahahaha I like how we enjoy talking to them even when we know they are not listening.
Tunde Sanusi says
Marriage is an awesome things ooooh.. But only if done with the right person and at the right time
TuhamWorld.Com
Precious Nkeih says
True, dear. With the right person, marriage is a foretaste of heaven.
Eliz says
Ohhh Pre, this write-up is sooo sweet. Marriage, marriage, one of the best things after recieving the new life of Christ indeed.
Since women like complaining, they'll complain about their marraiges yet they'll not be ready to live coz at the end of the day, the joy in it surpasses the weaknesses.
Marriage is HONORABLE in ALL. So, you even gain more respect as you become Mr/Mrs.
Marriage helps you to be you. You can't pretend in it or be a hypocrite. You are you in marriage.
Thanks again dear for sharing and with lots of humour.
Precious says
You are welcome, dear.
Marriage is truly honorable in all as scripture says. And it reveals the real you! That's so true.
Timmy says
God Bless You
Precious says
God bless you too!
EkanemUK says
When you say "marry yhur best friend", Pls Wht do you mean?
Humphrey says
Point taken I will make sure when I marry will hold stick tighty to these steps
Guest says
If you really are that very lucky and blessed to be very committed, loving, and caring to one another, then that would really work.
Anonymous says
How to meet a real good woman that isn't a Whore. That is the hardest of all for many of us good single men that had been there already. At least, back in the old days most women were very faithful.
Titus mbori says
When we long for marriage without difficulties; remind us that oaks grow in contrary winds and diamond the hardest are made under high pressure.marriage is good and a gift from GOD.
Mike says
Having that special person in your life is very important to share your life with, which is much better than being single and alone all the time. The hardest part of all though is finding the one, especially for many of us single men that are having a very extremely difficult time meeting a good woman to settle down with. Women today have really changed in a very big way from the past unfortunately.
Fact says
The married life is the best of all, especially if you really are very caring, loving, committed, and very compatible with one another. And you can be very intimate with one another anytime you want. Being single and alone all the time is the worst of all.
Precious says
Being single is not the worst. You can still be single and happy/fulfilled.