I believe every family has a dirty laundry to clean. Whether it is big or small, there is something for you to clear off. However, will a blissful marriage turns into a wreckage after some time?
Today my cousin sister, M, broke the news to my mum that she wanna divorce with her husband. I paused to think a while. Gosh! (*breathing even harder to listen to what my mum says)
"Your cousin sister could not withhold the husband's temper and all the hurtful words he said during arguments."
Just a little story about her for you to understand...I was speechless. I knew the marriage was shaken off. I would not want to name them to respect their privacy. M was married to J when she was only 21 in July 1999. I was already in shock when she told me the decision to marry at such a young age. In July 2000, she became a mother of a bright daughter (who is 7 now).
M was indeed enjoying her first few years of marriage until she had an affair in year 2004. Her husband didn't suspect her at all because he was outstation all the time. The flings came and gone for good. None of her flings lasted long. She was soon trapped in a not-so-happy-family. Her husband threw things at her during arguments. The bad temper was unbearable until the daughter knew how to scold his father
"Daddy naughty! Daddy bully mummy!".
M just gave birth to her 2nd daughter in March last year. From the outside, they really resembled a happy family. But if you scrutinize properly, it just reminds you of the hot series of Desperate Housewives.
I am not sure how far this marriage of M & J will be taken to but I do not hope to witness another divorce in my extended family. I wish they had knew Christ at this stage. At least I know they can surrender all this to Lord Jesus Christ to fix it.
Coming to this point, how do we measure a successful marriage? Will the children continue to bless their parents with everlasting joy and help the parents overcome any stress? Divorce rates are increasing each year in this nation. If this is frightening, how do we encourage young adults to tie the knot successfully? This is no wonder people are delaying their marriages or rather remain celibate or single.
I do not want to remain dry and long-winded in this entry. Somehow it just turns out to be mind-boggling after hearing the news from my mum. It is tough to wish someone an eternal blissful marriage these days.