Teachable Woman Podcast
Reverends Michele Owes and Diana P. Cherry
About Marriage - Part 4
Introduction
Welcome to another episode of the Teachable Woman Podcast with Reverends Michele Owes and Diana Cherry, Teachers of Good Things. In Part 4 of their conversation about marriage, they continue exploring what couples need to know before and during marriage. Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, ministry, and years of marriage counseling and enrichment, they remind listeners that marriage is an honorable institution established by God—and one that requires intentional investment.
The conversation centers on the first miracle Jesus performed at the wedding in Cana: turning water into wine. The reverends use this powerful picture to encourage married couples that God can take ordinary, difficult, or seemingly insignificant circumstances and transform them when couples seek Him, follow His Word, and allow Him to work in their relationship.
Show Notes
1. Jesus' First Miracle Happened at a Wedding
Reverend Michele opens by highlighting the significance of Jesus' first miracle taking place at a wedding feast. When the wine ran out, Jesus transformed ordinary water into something described as the best wine.
The message for married couples is encouraging: God can transform what seems ordinary, depleted, or disappointing into something beautiful. A marriage may go through seasons when the excitement seems to fade or circumstances become difficult, but couples should remember that God is able to bring renewal.
Reverend Diana agrees that Jesus' presence at the wedding demonstrates how seriously God regards marriage. If Jesus could intervene in what appeared to be a relatively small problem at a wedding, He can also intervene in the difficulties couples face today.
The lesson is to seek God's presence and trust Him even with the everyday challenges of marriage.
2. "Do Whatever He Says"
The story of Cana also highlights Mary's instruction to the servants: do whatever Jesus tells you to do.
The reverends connect this instruction directly to marriage. Couples can sometimes try to skip foundational steps or pursue an idealized picture of marriage based on television, magazines, or cultural expectations. But a strong marriage requires following God's instructions rather than simply following personal ideas.
Reverend Michele emphasizes that couples should not limit God to what they consider "big" problems. Scripture teaches believers to cast their cares upon Him because He cares for them. God is concerned about every part of our lives, including marriage.
Even when couples do not feel ready, capable, or willing to take the next step, they can begin the process and trust God to work through their obedience.
3. Marriage Is Honorable—and It Requires Preparation
Hebrews 13:4 describes marriage as honorable. Reverend Michele explains that marriage is valuable and costly, requiring significant investment before and after the wedding day.
Reverend Diana stresses the importance of premarital counseling and preparation. Two imperfect people are coming together and being asked to become one. Counseling cannot guarantee a problem-free marriage, but it can equip couples with tools for handling inevitable challenges.
She recalls how inadequate brief premarital conversations can be compared with intentional preparation. Couples need opportunities to examine expectations, personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas of conflict.
The reverends also encourage couples to revisit the things they appreciated about one another before marriage. Qualities that once seemed charming can sometimes become sources of irritation once two people are living closely together. Preparation helps couples understand that marriage is work—but work that is worthwhile because they are doing it together.
4. Invest in Your Marriage
One of the strongest practical messages of the episode is the importance of continuing to invest in marriage after the wedding.
Reverend Michele encourages married couples to attend:
• Marriage enrichment meetings at church
• Marriage retreats
• Ongoing marriage classes
• Premarital counseling before saying "I do"
Couples are encouraged to treat these opportunities as priorities rather than optional activities. The reverends compare investing in marriage with investing in other areas of life: couples can spend considerable time and energy managing financial investments while neglecting the marriage God entrusted to them.
Reverend Michele also shares honestly about how God had to renew her thinking during marriage. She recalls times when she thought it might be easier to return to living independently. Instead, God showed her that the problem was not always her husband—sometimes it was her own thinking and behavior.
The lesson is powerful: God may not simply change our spouse; He may change us.
5. Marriage Should Glorify God
Reverend Diana explains that marriage...
