Dear Father, My friend came to me moaning because her boyfriend asked her to pay rent when she moves in with him after they get engaged. My first thought was why not just get married and move in together but I held my tongue and listened to her going on and on….. Later, she sent me a poem she had written regarding the role of a woman in society……I totally agreed with everything she had written as it is tough juggling a career and wanting to enjoy life before you settle down – that is even before children come into the equation! The cost of living is high; saving up for a mortgage nearly impossible, rent expensive; it’s no surprise people co-habit to enjoy life and share the cost….I have done that before. Now here’s the gamble - you wouldn’t know whether it will work for you or not, so you will have to take a chance. I did against my better judgement and it was disastrous; however most people of faith have success stories by going on to marry, after living together. As Your children, that is not Your plan for us, You want us to marry before living together and I have struggled with that and still do especially when loneliness kicks in. However, I know Your word is to protect us and not to restrict us especially as I realised that co-habiting offers no security. It’s a wonder how much the Law is actually derived from the Bible and people trust the Law but they don’t trust the word where it came from. …..so what do I tell her, have a short engagement, get married fast then live together……isn’t that rushing it? I don’t have the answer as to how it will work out for her, if I did I will be part of that club now, right? I will however let her decide by reminding her of Deuteronomy 28:1-2 if I fully obey You and carefully follow all Your commands………all blessings will come on me and overtake me….
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