Peace at Home #01: What's the Mission of Your Marriage?
What’s the mission of your marriage?
Strange question? Maybe. But if you don't have something that you're aiming for, something that you're working towards, how do you know if you've accomplished it? How do you know if you’re even heading in the right direction?
For Jonathan and myself, our mission is Shalom Bayit.
“What the fudgesicles, Hannah!?!”
Shalom Bayit is the Hebrew phrase translated as, "Peace at home." It was a principle that the rabbis pulled out of the Hebrew Bible, time and time again, about what the relationship between a husband and wife is supposed to look like.
They believed that in order to have happy children, it's starts with the relationship between husband and wife. In order to have a vibrant and healthy community, it starts with the relationship between husband and wife. In order to make any lasting mark on this world worthy of honor, it starts with your relationship with your spouse.
Peace at home is our mission.
When we walk into the house, we strive to establish peace.
When we're in the midst of a disagreement, we're looking for peace.
When we talk about our spouse to other people, we're spreading peace.
What we say and how we say it - for the sake of peace.
It isn't just peace in the way us westerners think of peace, in the sense of “being without conflict.” Shalom means lacking nothing; being complete; being in perfect harmony; and having prosperity.
Is this a big goal? Yes. Does it feel overwhelming at times? Absolutely. But it is more than worth it. I can’t even begin to count the number of fights its prevented. It’s given us both a safe place for our weaknesses, to be ourselves, and encouragement for us to grow. All these things and so much more! It’s worked for the last 3,000 years, it shouldn’t be all that surprising.
So let me ask you this: As you’re preparing to be married, what is lacking in your relationship with your fiancé? What can you do now to bring harmony to your marriage?
In the next few weeks I'm going to be pulling out some beautiful and practical things from the scriptures from this principle and I couldn't be more excited - not just to share it with you, but to also increase the shalom in our own marriage.
But for now, I'd love to know your own examples for what works in your relationship. Keep the conversation going on Facebook or in the comments below.
Creative team for the above photo:
Couple: Jacob & Catherine
Venue: Keswick Vineyards
Wedding dress: Augusta Jones
Hair Artist: Top Knot, Erica Haskins
Makeup Artist: Rouge9, Linda Livernois
Photography: Jonathan & Hannah Photography