Gary Thomas reminds Christians that if you're married, God is your "spiritual Father-in-law." He writes:
When I realised that I was married to God's daughter, everything
changed in the way I viewed marriage. It was no longer about just me and one
other person; it was very much a relationship with a passionately interested
third partner.
Most of us fail to grasp just how fully God loves the person to whom
we are married. As the father of three children, I fervently pray that each one
will marry a spouse who will love them generously, respect them, and enjoy
them. I realise that each of my children has certain quirks or limitations that
may test a future spouse's patience, but I pray that their spouses will be kind
in these areas rather than use them to belittle my children. I hope with all my
heart that each will find a partner who will encourage them with a gracious
spirit…. I know my kids aren't perfect—but I want them to have spouses who will
love them despite their weaknesses.
In the same way, God is fully aware of our spouse's limitations—and he
is just as eager for us to be kind and generous with these faults as we are for
our kids' future spouses to be kind to them. By looking at my spouse through
God's eyes, I invite God into my marriage.
Gary Thomas, Holy Available (Zondervan, 2009), pp. 63-64
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