Oddbean

So in a nutshell I didn’t have a high school or college sweetheart, it was more a blurr. I didn’t marry until age 40, because the examples shown to me were that marriage doesn’t work. I wish that were different, and I had regrets about not marrying someone years ago but that faded eventually and I did learn a lesson. Thankfully Jesus found me. Then I saw what His true love is. After that more things clicked, including my real desire to be married and begin my family. Being a single child from a broken family, I wanted to stay married and not provide an example for my children in the way my parents had shown me. I would learn that I have to (!) live out my faith so our kids would see it, marinate in it and live it as they grow up, so that they would then know it. Of course they need to own their faith. Teach you children well (CSN), who borrowed it from scripture “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it” proverbs 22:6 Dare I assume here that I am writing this to the questioner who is a younger man? Faith or not, here’s a question you don’t have to respond to. What’s in your way? What holds you back? Fear? Maybe the culture is underneath the skin too deep? Jesus penetrates the soul because man in his strength can do nothing (though we fight that do we not?) The grass withers and the flower fades but the word of the Lord will live forever. It’s time to live boldly, men. What are you waiting for?

powerful story, thank you for sharing. I'm in awe of the power of Jesus. it does speak well to His cause that he seems to have such a good influence on people! having children really does seem to be the ultimate end of man... actually i've heard a catechism that "man's chief end is to glorify God", but interesting that God would then reflect that back into encouraging man to have a family. in my case, i'm mid 30s, and I'm taking some steps to shed my old skin and change my culture. i don't know if that results in marriage or just "permanent bachelor" status as a gay guy coming out of a relationship and straightening my ways to the catholic doctrine. i felt called to do that. not sure about further instructions

Thanks for your honesty. May I recommend Secret Thoughts of An Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield. She has quite a story you may appreciate. Not sure about Catholic doctrine however the Westminster Shorter Catechism question 1 is: What is the chief end of man? A: the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. So, marrying and having a family does glorify God, the family enjoys the blessing of children and the cycle continues. Having six children, two who are adopted changed my life for the better. Do it brother. This little girls changed my heart👇. Another absolutely beautiful story. Grace and peace https://image.nostr.build/d463351d51571ea45e4037c942808def1694d3dabc56b0ec6e570b0eac749f92.jpg