Grace Filled Lemons

By Laura

Marriage is one of the most sacred and beautiful gifts God has given us. But it’s also one of the most vulnerable. Life will stretch, shake, and sometimes shatter the things we thought were secure. Feelings fade. Seasons change. Storms will come. And when they do, we learn that the strength of our marriage was never meant to come from just the two of us—but from the One who binds us together.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says,

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

That third strand—Christ—isn’t decorative. He is essential. He is the anchor when emotions are fragile, when grief knocks on our door, when misunderstandings arise and forgiveness feels hard. When He is not at the center, we are left trying to hold it all together with human strength. And that was never enough to begin with.

I’ve learned—sometimes through tears, sometimes through grace-filled breakthroughs—that a Christ-centered marriage doesn’t mean perfection. It means perseverance. It means daily surrender. It means praying not, “Lord, fix my spouse,” but “Lord, make me more like You.” It means leaning into grace when we fail each other, and choosing love when it’s inconvenient or costly.

In a world that often treats marriage as temporary or transactional, we must remember: marriage is a covenant, not a contract. It’s not based on performance or circumstances. It’s built on sacrificial love—the kind Christ showed us on the cross.

When Jesus is truly the center:

• We forgive quicker because we know how much we’ve been forgiven.
• We love deeper because we’re drawing from a Source that never runs dry.
• We stay grounded because our identity isn’t in our roles as husband or wife—but as beloved sons and daughters of God.

If you’re married, I encourage you to ask yourselves today:

Are we building on the Rock or the sand?

Are we inviting Christ into our conversations, our conflicts, our dreams, our disappointments?

Marriage without Christ may survive a season, but it cannot thrive in the long haul. With Him, even the most fractured relationships can be restored. Even the dry places can bloom again.

Let’s be a generation that doesn’t just stay married—but stays surrendered. Let’s let the world see what happens when Christ holds the pen to our love story.

Prayer for a Christ-Centered Marriage

Lord Jesus,

Be the center of our hearts and the cornerstone of our marriage.

Teach us to love each other with Your patience, Your kindness, and Your truth.

In moments of hurt, be our healer. In moments of joy, be our praise.

Help us forgive quickly, listen deeply, and always come back to You.

Let our marriage be a reflection of Your covenant love—faithful, enduring, and full of grace.

Amen.