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 Marriage is Like a Pasture
by Lonnie Harwell, 8/1/04
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You must be old when… one of the kids you had in youth group as a freshman is getting married. It seems like only yesterday that I met Andy and now he’s going to be a husband. My how time flies. Andy asked me to say a few words at his wedding and what follows are my thoughts that I shared with him on marriage.
Marriage is like a pasture that God gives us to walk in. Walking in a pasture is a wonderful experience full of surprises and challenges. In a pasture, you will see life in a constant state of flux, as old flowers die new ones bloom. In the spring you’ll see newborn jackrabbits, fawns, quail, ground squirrels, gophers and even if you don’t like snakes when they’re small they’re a most curious diversion. The birds will fly into and over the pasture. Their differences of color and manner of flight give you a greater appreciation for God’s spectacular creation.
Perhaps, the best aspect of walking in a pasture is being on a moonlit stroll with the one you love as the stars are shining above and the distant sound of crickets and frogs is echoing the background. As the wind is blowing through the trees, each one singing their own song of praise, there is perhaps no better time to be in a passionate embrace with your loved one. What a perfect moment to let each other know how much you mean to one another and how thankful you are to God for joining you together.
Now the one thing about walking in a pasture, especially if you have cattle, is not if, but when you are going to step in a cow patty. And when you step in one it is one messy and terribly smelly experience. It gets all over your shoes and clothes and can ruin a perfect day. But as a married couple it is the cow patties of life that God gives us to step in that makes us grow the most and where we learn about real love, mercy and forgiveness. Marriage is making covenant before God and declaring to your family and friends that you have chosen to step into the cow patties of life with each other. May God richly bless your union and may your love grow deeper, more passionate, more intense with every passing moment and may you enjoy many moonlit strolls in your pasture.
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