Hannah and I try to read a book together on a regular basis. Right now we are reading Sister Freaks, which is a book of short stories about women who gave up everything for the sake of the Gospel. Today we read about Katherine Von Bora, a nun turned wife of Martin Luther in the 1500’s.
Many times we think of marriages as matched by the similarities, but God’s ways are not our and it is usually a unlikely pair whose marriages are great and show the greatness of our God. Katherine and Martin’s arrangement was almost arranged. They liked each other when they married but the endearing love for one another took time to develope. God over time turned a friendship into a great love for one another that is still speaking to couples today. His friend Katherine, turned into his dearest Katie. I love what this book said Martin Luther had to say about their marriage.
With Katherine, Martin saw marriage as a school for character, saying he learned much more about grace from it than from all his studies, books, and sermons.
Eric and I have come to that conclusion as well. It is not where we are alike that we grow fonder of each other. While we value those things, it is our complimentary differences that God grows us in, teaches us in, leading to our sanctification and makes us the vessels to be used the most. We do indeed learn so much about the Gospel of grace through our marriage. It is the sacred place that our flesh is demolished and devestated, which at times is painful, but the reward is great. It challenges us in ways we are not challenged otherwise and reminds us that we cannot go this alone and we have a deep need for the Savior. Marriage pushes us to the only one who can make something beautiful out of two completely different vessels.
Today, thank God for the differences and the gospel of grace Jesus is teaching you through your husband. Seek God as you are being molded in the likeness of Jesus.
