I will never be prepared for marriage. I’m choosing to marry, not knowing what that means or how to go about it. I believe that I have been led to this point in life, but I could have gone many other directions. Once I enter into marriage, it will be a choice I have every day. I can choose to stay faithful. I can choose to be honest. I can choose to be virtuous. These are difficult things. I am hopeful that all of you will help me. I know that I need community in order for my marriage to be healthy. I pray that I can accept encouragement and guidance from my community. I pray that I can learn to receive love from others and give love in return. These are challenging tasks. Our society praises independence and self sufficiency. As a community, we must fight against these things.
I have hoped for marriage, and I have not forgotten those who long for it but cannot participate in it. I mourn with others who are excluded from marriage, those who do not have the legal rights to marry their partner, those who the church refuses to marry, those who’s spouses have left them, those who’s spouses have died, those who desire a partner and do not have one. I believe that as a community we must wrestle
with these things. I hope we can love one another without judgement. I hope we are not afraid to ask difficult questions. We should be willing to be uncomfortable. We should celebrate together. In community and marriage, we must give ourselves to one another.
Ashely Wybenga