God should be the centre of marriage

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I read with interest the article ‘Who is training our men to be ‘husband material’?’ in Family and Religion in The Gleaner of January 3, 2021. I noticed the frank and open comments by columnist Tamara Bailey, and interviewee, Rowena-Renee Xymines, regarding family life and the role of good husbands. I would like to offer some alternative thoughts for you to ponder.

I belong to a religious organisation that constantly promotes wholesome family life. We all pray, worship and enjoy wholesome recreation as families. In my particular congregation, there are several happy united families. As you know, the family is the basic unit of society, the basic feature for good communities. Hence we see the successes of good husbands who take the lead in prayer and worship. One current example is a brother who is now 96 years old and married for 73 years. This is by no means an isolated case because I, too, am married for 47 years. In both these examples, our mates were in the late teen years when they got married.

What is the key to success? The Bible tells us of the role of husbands, wives, children and family life in general. Please read Ephesians 5:28-33 and Colossians 3:18-21. I do not want to preach to you, but these standards really work. The Bible warns us against things that will undermine happiness and respect. The problem is, some people refrain from practising things that God condemn, so they end up in trouble with God. The solution is God should be the centre of our friendships and marriages.

HAYDEN JORDAN

Spanish Town