Today was church. My faith in Jesus Christ has long been my stabling ground. He has been the driving force behind my strength, my joy, my faith, my resolute; without the solid rock, Jesus Christ, on which I stand, I certainly would have been much less than what I am today... my life would have been nothing to speak of... if I still had it.
We go to a Pinsekirken here in Norway - A pentecostal Church. At first, I was very dissapointed because I wanted to go to something like Hillsong in Australia. This Church is alive with Worship, music and Artistic glory. Instead this church is filled with old people, sings songs that are slow and sometimes have a defeated tone (don't ask me the words .. its all in Norwegian).
Norway is a Christian Nation, where the church and the state are still one. The school system teaches R.I. and you are taught Communion in school... not in church.
Sundays are days of rest. They hold that dear to them and their families. Not many things are open except those that considered in a certain class. In order to operate your business on a Sunday you need a special permit and you can get a hefty fine if you are doing business on a Sunday.
Alcohol is hidden in the groceries after 8 pm most nights. And there is no selling of Alcohol on a Sunday! Wow! ... this is an amazing feat in a society that has such global influence.
Why then, do they only put importance on one part of the Christian life and not on others?
Getting married in Norway is perhaps one of the rarest activites that you can get invited to. I kid you not. Most couples in Norway are content to have children, live, work and raise children without the legal committment. Of course in this society, this is such a norm. But my Feminie Antenae goes up when I see these things. Perhaps the Norwegian Government has a way to ensure that these women are protected, as well as their children in case of a break up or God forbid a death.
But why they tolerate it, is beyond me. When you live with someone for 10 years, have their kids, wash their clothes etc, how can I be comfortable with that? As a woman? As it seems as though many women WANT to get married, but the guys don't seem to be interested.
This is unacceptable to me. But I have to realise also that to get married in Norway is no cheap feat.
Its is dissappointing to me... for a country who still had the state and church joined together.... (surprise!) Where the kids are still read Bible stories in Kindergarden and not about Politically correct things (as Seasame Street is doing), where Sunday is still sleepy and people value their families so much.
I remember hearing one couple say that if they child asked them to get married... then they would. So much for a committment to each other .... based on child's request.
Caribbean women, although they do have those that perhpas don't believe in marriage etc. they would insist upon it at some point in time perhaps... just to make it "official" even if...
Children learn so much from their parents... whether we want to believe it or not. This is how its continued. If the parents were fine with it .. why should the child do something the parents never did?
Marraige for me has not only made me love this man more .... than I thought possible... but it has also opened my eyes to just how difficult it can be, how restricting we can make it seem, how easy it is to fall out of love with someone just because we have now grown so accustomed to them. But at the end of the day ... and the end of life ..... isn't it wonderful to know that someone made a lifelong committment to you in front of friends, family and wellwishers... to love you ... only you .... through sickness and health, happiness or sorrow, richer or for poorer... the age old words are more powerful than what we can make up.... because it means it is unconditional.... I choose to be with you... I choose to spend my days wrapped up in your successes.... supporting you .... loving you more .... our spouses come first .. even before kids.... it is the reason the kids were their ... the love of a union.....
Despite the stigmas attached to Marraige, I believe it is the most powerful contract that we can ever make in our life..... one that should not be taken lightly .... one that should make our hearts beat faster just thinking about it... One that should be cherished .... forever.....
How can 2 people ... truely... truely .. in love ... not want that from each other?
What yuh say? ..... What do you think of marraige?
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