One generation away. From many things, but today in this way.... weaker faith. 

I   I was invited to the engagement ceremony of a neighbor and friend.  She has helped put herself through college, is the 5th of 6 kids, and loves to teach kids Bible songs and Bible stories.

    Her parents have arranged for her to marry a non-Christian. And she’s agreed. Let me note there are several, multiple factors in this, most importantly that in Khmer culture you’re never outside of the influence of your parents no matter the age.

But still. My mind is processing this...

She’s the 3^rd of a handful of ladies lately that love the Lord and have been praying and waiting for a godly husband, yet have accepted their parents' introductions.  

"Do not be unequally yoked.” 

There is an initial disappointment in my (western) heart – that they won’t immediately know the joy of being joined to and in a partnership with a godly leader of their family of 2. But we'll pray hard that this happens. 

Then, there is the point in the conversation where they say ‘but Lori I’ve already talked to him and he says my belief is no problem.’  And while this is a half of a check mark – at least he’s not upset you have a different religion from him – its not a full check mark.

Continuing, ‘… and Lori he says he’ll go to church with me after a year or so.’  Again. The check mark is half drawn based on a promise.

Today I'm talking about faith. It will sound dramatic to some, but its true when 2 opposite opinions or lifestyles join in any capacity. The odds are good that the the majority of the time the joint lifestyle leans the way of the "weaker" link. Nutrition. Travel and socializing. Faith. Spending habits. Savings. Disciplining children.

Their kids will be quick to see the difference in mom and in dad. 

"Do not be unequally yoked, but if you are...."  We're not just left with a command. We're left with a path. 

Hear that I'm not advocating disobedience to parents. 

I am saying that life isn’t cut and dry. I'm saying God understands the thousands of cultures He created. 

And I will pray for heaps of blessings and faith be heaped on these two - that this was a divine appointment from the beginning of time for this fellow to hear Christ's love for the first time.