Musings in Writings

"Your husband is agnostic, doesn't that affect your relationship?"

Here's my reply :

Hi, [S],

you are not the only one to ask me this ? :-) Many other people are curious too! :-P

We both love each other very much. The fact that we remain loving despite the difference in faith is testimony that that religious differences can be worked out. Also, because me and my hubby can work out this difference, any other problems are chicken feed to us! :-)

We both discussed about it even before we become fully committed during our relationship. So that he knows what to expect about the church wedding, wedding vows, the bringing up of children in the Catholic Faith and birth control. He is most of all satisfied that he is not required by the Catholic Church to convert for our marriage. On my part, I have to respect that he is not ready to accept Christian beliefs and I will not try to convert him. (not by my human effort anyway, but only by the grace of God). Good thing he is agnostic, not atheistic! This means that he respects the possibility that God may exist. Thus he is very respectful of religions.

He is very supportive of my Faith and drives me to Church every Sunday and allows me to put a pretty altar in the living room etc. It helps that he has very good impression of Catholics, because he was from a Catholic mission school and his sis-in-law is a Catholic.

But he doesn't like it when I spend too much time in Church, cos he will feel neglected and lonely in the house. Actually if I have a choice, I would love to visit Jesus in the Mass after work every day! But a wifely duty is also a Christian duty, so I limit myself to no more than 3 times of church activities in a week. I also inform him of any courses I sign up way in advance.

God helped us a lot to overcome the initial difficulties of our relationship and fills us with matrimonial blessings. And contrary to what people believe about a non Christian partner being a danger to Faith, my husband has played a big role in helping me to be a good Christian. My husband is a special gift for me from God. In return I hope to consecrate my husband to Him. I have an important duty in my hands : it is to constantly pray for my husband to receive the gift of Faith. Even if I have to pray for the next 50 years! :-)