Chapter 18—Security in the Home
Human Love Should Draw on Divine Love—It is only in Christ
that a marriage alliance can be safely formed. Human love should draw
its closest bonds from divine love. [
See section V, “Life’s energizing
force.”
] Only where Christ reigns can there be deep, true, unselfish
affection.—
The Ministry of Healing, 358
(1905).
Reaching God’s Ideal—Men and women can reach God’s ideal
for them if they will take Christ as their helper. What human wisdom
cannot do, His grace will accomplish for those who give themselves
to Him in loving trust. His providence can unite hearts in bonds that
are of heavenly origin. Love will not be a mere exchange of soft and
flattering words. The loom of heaven weaves with warp and woof
finer, yet more firm, than can be woven by the looms of earth. The
result is not a tissue fabric but a texture that will bear wear and test
and trial. Heart will be bound to heart in the golden bonds of a love
that is enduring.—
The Ministry of Healing, 362
(1905).
Weigh Every Sentiment in Contemplating Marriage—Let
those who are contemplating marriage weigh every sentiment and
[153]
watch every development of character in the one with whom they think
to unite their life destiny. Let every step toward a marriage alliance be
characterized by modesty, simplicity, sincerity, and an earnest purpose
to please and honor God. Marriage affects the afterlife both in this
world and in the world to come. A sincere Christian will make no
plans that God cannot approve.—
The Ministry of Healing, 359
(1905).
Real Union Is the Work of Years—However carefully and wisely
marriage may have been entered into, few couples are completely
united when the marriage ceremony is performed. The real union of
the two in wedlock is the work of the afteryears.—
The Ministry of
Healing, 359, 360
(1905).
Romantic Imagination Disappears—As life with its burden of
perplexity and care meets the newly wedded pair, the romance with
which imagination so often invests marriage disappears. Husband
and wife learn each other’s character as it was impossible to learn it
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