You know that moment when you’re folding laundry for the umpteenth time, or maybe you’re elbow-deep in dishes, and suddenly you wonder, “Is this all there is to married life?” Well, let me tell you, my friend, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, standing in a sea of mismatched socks, wondering if I’d somehow missed the memo on the grand adventure marriage was supposed to be.
But here’s the thing: what if I told you that right where you are, in the midst of the everyday chaos of married life, you’re actually on the greatest adventure of your faith journey?
The Unexpected Call
Remember how it all started? That flutter in your heart when you first met your spouse? That was God’s first whisper of the adventure He had in store for you. Just like He called those fishermen to become apostles, He called you and your spouse to this incredible journey of marriage.
I’m reminded of this every time I read The Hobbit to our kids at bedtime. There’s this moment when Gandalf says to Bilbo, “I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.” Doesn’t that sound a bit like God calling us to the adventure of marriage?
Let’s face it, once the honeymoon phase wears off and we realize this journey involves dirty diapers, mortgage payments, and compromising on what to watch on Netflix, it’s tempting to think we’ve somehow wandered off the path of adventure. But as Saint John Paul II wisely said, “Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure.” And nowhere is this more true than in the sacrament of marriage.
When Doubt Creeps In
Now, I’ll be honest with you. There have been days when I’ve looked at my spouse across the breakfast table and thought, “Are we cut out for this?” The worry creeps in: “What if I’m not patient enough, loving enough, or tough enough for this marriage gig?”
Sound familiar? It’s what I like to call the “Marriage Imposter Syndrome.” But here’s where we need to lean into our faith. Remember what St. Peter said? “Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). This applies to your marriage too!
In those moments of doubt, when the dishes are piled high and you haven’t had a date night in months, remember the words of Pope Benedict XVI: “The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” Your marriage? It’s a path to that greatness.
Just Do It: The Marriage Edition
Now, I’m not suggesting you add a Nike swoosh on your wedding ring, but there’s something to be said for their slogan when it comes to marriage. Sometimes, you’ve just got to do it. Make that bed together even when you’re grumpy. Say “I love you” even when your spouse forgot to buy milk… again.
These aren’t extraordinary acts, but day after day, they compound into something beautiful. It’s like Jesus said, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20). In marriage, it might sound more like, “Go, therefore, and love each other, even when it’s hard, showing the world what God’s love looks like.”
Shining Your Light Together
You and your spouse? You’re a team. And together, you have a light to shine that’s uniquely yours. Maybe it’s the way you welcome others into your home, how you support each other’s dreams, or the grace you show in forgiving each other’s mistakes.
I’ll let you in on a secret: there are days when I feel like hiding under that proverbial basket. Days when the adventure of marriage feels more like a slog through the marshes of Mordor (yes, I’m a Tolkien fan, can you tell?). But then I remember Saint Francis of Assisi’s advice: “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
In marriage, sometimes the necessary thing is just showing up. It’s choosing love when you don’t feel like it. It’s forgiving for the hundredth time. And before you know it, you’re doing what once seemed impossible – building a life of love that reflects God’s own love for His people.
Your Marriage Adventure Awaits
So, my dear friends, are you ready to see your marriage as the grand adventure it truly is? It may not always feel like you’re scaling Mount Doom (last Tolkien reference, I promise), but every act of love, every choice to serve your spouse, every shared prayer is part of this incredible journey.
The call has been issued. The greatest adventure of your faith life isn’t in some far-off mission field – it’s right there in your home, in your marriage. It’s time to cast aside your worries, trust in God’s care, and just do it. Love fiercely, forgive freely, and let your marriage be a light to the world.
Who knows? Your next load of laundry might just be the start of the most exciting chapter yet in your marriage adventure. Are you ready?
Author: Matt Chicoine
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