As you start out on this journey called marriage, have you considered the idea of gifts? Oh, there are shower gifts and wedding gifts, although I wasn’t thinking of those. I’m talking about something more personal. As God has drawn the two of you together, and as you enter into covenant with one another as husband and wife, there is a real sense in which God is giving this man to you, and giving you to this man.

Have you as yet received him as a gift? God knows so well what you need, what you enjoy, and the ways He wants to work in and through your life. This man will have a huge impact on you in the years ahead. There may be days when you’ll wonder if he’s the enemy. Keep in mind, dear one, that there is an enemy, but your husband is not him. He’s a gift to you from the hand of the Father.

Sometimes the harder part is to realize, deep down, that God has chosen you as a gift to this man. He didn’t create you as a mirror image of him; you bring a different personality, different talents, and different dreams. So bring all of yourself to this marriage! When God created Eve and brought her to Adam, the Bible says she was a helper “fit” for him.She was designed for this man, and together they would be far more than either would be alone. You are the one that God created, prepared and now wants to give to this man. Don’t try to be someone else, because if you’re successful in wearing someone else’s shoes, you’ve not brought the most precious gift—yourself.

Oh, dear one, you are being given to one another, but ultimately you have been created for God, for His pleasure. If you’ve placed your faith in Him, you belong first and foremost to your Savior. You’ve been bought with a price. Rejoice over the truth that you have been created by and for God, and receive with gratitude the gift God has given to you.

Father, You created marriage. It was all Your idea, and wow, what an idea it was! Please help us to remember that we are gifts to one another, given by You. Sometimes it’s a challenge to remember that, when we see things differently. Help us to bless one another with our love, our friendship, and even our differences. Thank You for Your gifts of friendship, relationships, love, joy and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen