When I was five years old, I witnessed my parents’ separation. I watched them both date other people and try to heal from their own traumas, but then ultimately reconcile. This impressed upon me that reconciliation is possible, no matter the circumstances, if both people are willing and at least one party is surrendered to Christ. My father did not become a Christian until 2023.
I used to say that I didn’t believe in marriage and thought it was a ridiculous thing to do. As it turns out, I believe in marriage as God intended it. I just don’t believe in our wishy-washy version of marriage in society, which barely resembles a Christ-centered marriage covenant as ordained by God from the creation of mankind.
I have even officiated a wedding in 2023, in which the couple just celebrated their second anniversary and are expecting their first child.
I am a unique kind of stander. I am not standing for reconciliation in my relationship. I am standing for a marriage that is supposed to happen.
I grew up in church and got saved young, yet in my twenties I was a backslider. I chose my sin over my Savior. That is when I met my now fiancée, who, though professing as a Christian, doesn’t live or act like one either.
We had a child together and got engaged, but in the back of my mind, I realized something wasn’t right. I now know that what I was feeling was God urging me not to enter into a permanent covenant until both of us were of the spiritual condition to make vows before God and understand the solemnness of the covenant we were making.
Recently, I came back to the faith. I had an encounter with Jesus while driving to work that is the closest modern equivalent to Paul’s Damascus Road moment I’ve ever heard of. Through tears on the side of I-70 in Maryland, I rededicated my life to Christ and have never been stronger in my faith, growing stronger and improving every day.
I joined a church for the first time in almost 20 years. My now 12-year-old son joins me and has been saved, baptized, and reads the Bible with me at least four times a week.
I now know what this long-felt conviction was. I could not marry anyone until I was solidly back in the faith. God also will not support me being unevenly yoked with someone spiritually. For this reason, I am standing for my future marriage.
What I Am Asking God For
- To break down the walls my fiancée has built to keep Him out, give her the same spiritual awakening I had, and allow me to marry a dedicated, church-going Christian.
- Or to give me the clarity to know what my next step should be and what His will is for my ring finger going forward.
I am humbled to be called as a servant in this ministry. I am honored to walk alongside several like-minded people standing for their own families, and I am excited to see how God will use us to help you as you stand for your marriages and your families.
I love every single one of you in the example set by Christ.