Article August 3, 1974 Issue

Marriage? Not Yet

SUSAN BARD

When I first heard a friend of mine talk about his marriage, it sounded as if he had found the answer to eternal happiness and satisfaction. Probably this interpretation wasn't intended, but his comments made me feel defensive about being single and wanting to remain so for a while. However, this did spur me on to examine my own thoughts about marriage. Why was I reacting this way? What did marriage mean to me, anyway?

According to one dictionary definition, marriage—in the broad sense—is "any intimate or close union." We usually think of a union between two people, but there is a further meaning that bears looking into. For the most part, marriage is thought to bring security, purpose, and confidence to the two individuals.

But as I considered this, I didn't like the thought that, just because I was single, I was supposed to be insecure, indecisive, uncertain, and that as soon as I'd marry this would be reversed. That would be like saying I was only half a person. If this were true, I would be spending my time praying that I'd someday run into other half. That would be silly. God made me, and He made me whole, complete.

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