Well the ingredients are quite simple. Now, simple does not mean easy. Anything that is worth anything requires work. Let’s start with something we all have heard in a wedding…the wedding vows, you know, that one phrase, "till death do us part" which is a solemn, traditional vow in wedding ceremonies, signifying that the marriage commitment lasts from the wedding day until one spouse passes away. The phrasing comes from traditional Christian vows, notably the 1662 Anglican Book of Common Prayer, which originally used "till death us do part". So, entering into marriage with the that mindset that we are in this for life, come hell or high water, makes for a sure foundation. When marriage is entered into with the escape clause that says, well, this isn’t working so divorce is an option that makes for some serious cracks in the foundation to begin with.
Another ingredient starts at the very beginning and that is in the dating. In the dating phase that is where you want to ground your relationship in the Lord Jesus Christ. What does that look like in practice: Praying together. Studying the Scriptures together. Fellowshipping with other believers. Taking vows together before God to remain sexually pure until marriage. Learning to communicate with each other. What does that look like. Well, first in means listening to each other, really listening. It means thinking hard before you let words fly out of your mouth.
I like this ingredient in a marriage and this is laughter. laugh together and laugh a lot. Laugh at some of the crazy things life throws at you. You know Solomon tells us that there is a time to laugh. I think laughter and humor can go a long way to make a relationship strong.
