Simply Blooming Grace

Got married?

If marriage were easy, why would the Lord make it a heavenly binding covenant with Himself? More than a handshake. More than a contract. More than a business deal. God purposely designed it with the strongest bond—a covenant.

As I was driving home the other night, it struck me: He wanted us to make it in marriage. Yes, divorce happens, and Scripture acknowledges the brokenness of our world. But at the root of it, His original goal was for marriages to last.

Even in those moments when you can’t stand one another.
Even when it feels like your mom making you say sorry as a child.
Even when you want to throw your hands up and say, “I’m done.”

Marriage is still meant to last. It is the second most important relationship we are given—second only to our relationship with the Lord Himself.

When we understand the gravity of what marriage truly is, it shifts everything. Marriage is not simply about romance or companionship—it is about covenant. It is a spiritual bond, a partnership in the battle of life, and at the same time one of the sweetest gifts of companionship. To be fully known, to laugh together, to cry together, to face hardship side by side—that is marriage. One of the wisest counselors I’ve known once described a spouse as “Jesus with skin on.”

Had I known how important it was to choose wisely, I might have been overwhelmed. But thankfully, I gave the Lord the reins to my spouse. And though marriage has been harder than I ever imagined, it has also been one of the greatest joys. Like working out at the gym, it’s uncomfortable at times, but you are always stronger afterward.

Statistics remind us why this covenant matters. In the United States, nearly 50% of first marriages end in divorce, and the rate climbs higher for second and third marriages. Yet studies also show that couples who pray together regularly have a divorce rate of less than 1%. That difference reveals what God designed marriage to be—anchored not in fleeting feelings but in covenant faithfulness.

The benefits of marriage are also profound. Research from the Institute for Family Studies shows that married people are more likely to report being “very happy” in life compared to those who are single, divorced, or cohabiting. Married couples tend to live longer, enjoy better health, and recover faster from illnesses. Financially, married households on average accumulate nearly 80% more wealth over a lifetime compared to single counterparts. Children raised in stable, two-parent homes are also more likely to graduate high school, avoid poverty, and report higher levels of emotional stability.

The question is, do our younger generations understand that marriage is more than companionship, more than not being lonely? Marriage is a sacred gift that only humanity experiences—a God-given covenant designed to bind husband, wife, and the Lord together.

Modern society has watered down the meaning of marriage, and with it, the seriousness of choosing a spouse. Settling for “good enough” overlooks the magnitude of what God intended.

So hug your husband or your wife a little tighter today. The Lord gave you this gift in the most sealed way possible—a reflection of His own covenant love. What a blessing.

And as for me, I’ll say it again: shout out to the husband handpicked by the Lord—Brook, you are the best.

Rachel Redlin is a columnist, author, journalist, and award-winning radio host. She lives in Northwest Kansas with her husband and five children, where she writes about faith, food, and the simple everyday life. Want to read more or contact us? You can subscribe to the FREE newsletter at www.simplybloominggrace.com

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