Floating down the aisle alongside her father and pastor, through a sea of forest green and black, and wearing her long white-silk wedding gown, Jackson was headed toward a lifetime of patience, commitment, and submission. Joining her husband with the vow to stay together for better or worse, Jackson, a devoted Christian, knew the possibility that dire times would push her, but she didn’t think it would be toward divorce.
Soon after their wedding the Jacksons began to enjoy their lives as devout Christians abiding by their vows as man and wife. But after a few years of marriage things went from bliss to despair and the two separated due to miscommunication and shared drug abuse.

Divorce in the Christian religion is considered a sin, and today it is at an all-time high. According to the Christian radio station 1640 AM, in 1972 one out of every three marriages ended in divorce. Today that number is much higher, totaling fifty-one percent.

Linda's husband, Michael Jackson, grew up in a Christian church— embracing the Word of God and what was considered sinful. However, as Jackson grew into his teen and adolescent years things took a turn for the worse. The fast life became appealing to him and obtaining money became his mission in life.

Making boatloads of money as a pimp, Michael soon developed a drug addiction and exchanged his money for crack. Eventually both Linda and Michael struggled with drug addiction, even after dedicating their lives to the Lord.

"After I got saved, I still struggled with drugs and kept on doing my own thing," says Linda. "I would take my kids with me to church on Sundays, but the next day be in my room smoking. The thing that I got convicted of was when my son, Marcello, would be in the next room playing church. He would set something up as his pulpit and become the preacher, and my two youngest daughters would be his audience—clapping and shouting 'Amen!'" says Linda. But one day Linda came to terms with herself and saw she could no longer defy God.

After deciding to make good with God, her children, and herself, Linda quit the high-paying job that had enabled her drug addiction and fully devoted her life to the Lord. Meanwhile, Michael still continued his drug abuse and his walk with God, leaving Linda frustrated and discouraged about her marriage ever succeeding.

"After seven years, I gave up, I couldn't put up with it anymore," says Linda. But little did she know that God hadn't given up— although she had thrown in the towel, God threw it right back.

Linda's father, Pastor Larry Vigil, says God created man and woman to stay together, and that divorce is not of God.

A group of married couples and singles with the desire to marry sit along six rows of soft-cushioned dark red chairs. They listen attentively to Vigil as he compares a marriage to a business or partnership in a class he holds once a month. Vigil explains that the two must come to terms with one another in order for the marriage to work. In his speech he also adds that a marriage cannot stand on human values and individualistic ways— meaning one or both partners must get rid of selfish ways and attitudes. Vigil also points out that some individuals are brought up with certain values that they bring to their marriage. Some are raised with the saying 'blood is thicker than water'— but when rubber meets the road and a man is forced into a situation where he must decide between his brother and his wife, he must choose the latter, because the Bible says "a man will leave his father and mother and he must stick to his wife."

According to the Bible the first human relationship God created was a marriage between a man and woman. After laying down the commands and warnings, God looked upon Adam who was cultivating the garden and noticed something was missing— He noticed Adam was lonely and needed a partner to make his life complete.

"And Jehova God went on to say: 'It is not good for the man to continue by himself. I am going to make a helper for him, as a compliment of him," reads Genesis 2:18

After saying this, God created every wild beast of the earth and flying creatures from the dust, which Adam then named. But still God saw something was missing. After the creation of woman, Eve, the Bible explains that both man and woman lived free and happy until a visitor showed up. Satan, one of God's fallen angels, became an impediment to the two, for he loathed marriage and happiness. But love still conquered evil.
Michael Vigil, a pastor in Berkeley explains the failure of his first marriage. His ex-wife desired the things of the world, like material possessions, rather than the things of God, which are spiritual possessions.

"She wanted more of what the world can offer her rather than what God had for her," says Michael.
Margory Vigil, Michael Vigil's current wife, explains that marriages today lack certain vital qualities.
"Loyalty and commitment isn't there," says Margory.

According to the Bible, marriage represents Christ and the Church. In the second coming of the Lord, He comes back for his bride— the church. At this time, also known as the rapture, Satan will be thrown into the eternal Lake of Fire.

"Every time a marriage takes place, the devil cringes because it reminds him of his future," says Larry.

"That's why marriages are so hard. I tell people who want to get married to make sure they're actually ready—it’s no walk in the park. The devil will throw anything and everything at marriages."

In order for a marriage to be successful, God has to be in the center, praying and reading the Word and the couple must not leaning on their own understanding. When two people come together, they not only bring themselves into the marriage, but their pasts, shortcomings, and individual values.

"He must stick to his wife and the two will become one flesh." quotes Genesis 2:24

Two becoming one can be difficult and old habits must go. Pride and selfishness will not work if the two are to serve one and love one another the way God designed intended. The wife is her husband's helper and the man is to love is wife (as Christ loved the church) with respect and love, while considering her feelings.
Larry’s wife, Sylvia, points out the reason for so many failed marriages in Christianity today, "Compared to thirty years ago, people today don't value marriages or relationships.”

As for Linda and Michael Jackson, they knew divorce was not intended by God and knew what they had to do. Today Linda and Michael stand side by side in rebuilding their marriage, allowing God to lead them as they serve Him together.