Like many couples getting married in June, I too was a blushing bride…thirty four years ago.
This morning, after my shower, I wanted to wish my husband a “Happy Anniversary.” He was on the back patio reading the news off his laptop.
No bridal gown today. Dressed in a frumpy, white bathrobe, my hair was wet and tangled. No makeup. And I’m twenty-two pounds heavier than the day I said “I do.”
Half-joking, I pointed to my dowdy appearance, “For better or worse!”
“That’s okay.” My husband teased. “My eyesight isn’t as good as the day we married.”
On June 30th, 1979 we made a covenant before God and became one flesh. God’s grace, a sense of humor, loyalty, communication, and selflessness kept us together. Prayer was also necessary to soften our hearts towards each other during hard times.
Today, I studied my husband’s unshaven face, his graying hair, the laugh lines around his blue eyes. It’s difficult to imagine my life without him walking beside me.
Praise God, I didn’t call it quits whenever my husband rubbed me the wrong way, crimped my style. I’m blessed to find a husband who loves me when I least deserve it, never keeps an account of the things I’ve done wrong.
No wonder marriage is the image God uses to illustrate the relationship between Christ and His Church. Wedding vows are worth remembering, when marriage seems too familiar.
“I, Karen, take thee, Dan, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith/myself to you.”
The words are similar to God’s irrevocable covenant with His beloved.
I, Yahweh, the Great I Am, take Karen, to be the Bride and Body of Christ.
To have and to hold…: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
For better, or worse: “My grace is enough for you….” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
To love and to cherish: “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
Till death do us part: “Neither death or life can separate you from the love of God.”(Romans 8:38, 39)
According to my Holy plan, I pledge myself to you.
“Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” (Rev. 19:9)
Have you been invited?
Beautiful, Karen!
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Thank you kindly, Lenore.
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I love, love, love the way you compared wedding vows to our relationship with God and added in the Bible verses – we have a wonderful God! And I love to hear about your beautiful marriage as well. It is a testimony to us all – thanks for sharing, Karen!
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For each of you who wished us a happy anniversary, THANK YOU! 🙂 I hope you make time this week for our beloved bridegroom…Jesus!
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Beautiful!!! Happy Anniversary…here’s to many more years with your earthly love:) God bless you!
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Beautiful beautiful!
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Great illustration of true beauty and fellowship–and how God also loves us just as we are. Happy Aniversary!
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Beautiful, Karen! Glad I don’t have eye make up on yet…it would be smeared with tears. Thank you for this blessing today.
Sent from my iPad
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Happy Anniversary – we just celebrated our 40th on June 23
God Bless your new year together
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Congratulations to you!! Not a small feat in this day and age!
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Happy anniversary!
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