“I
DO”
By:
Maxine Mullivan
“I
DO” is uttered in every wedding ceremony conducted anywhere in our land
As simple as in a
Justice of the Peace’s office to that big expensive wedding, ever so grand
A license is
required, and only certain people have the ability to perform this duty for it
to legally stand
In every marriage
two people agree, this relationship is EXCLUSIVE…one on one
Another cannot
break this bond; without it, to the threat of divorce succumb
But in today’s
world, our first thought when trouble appears is to RUN
Because when the
“honeymoon” phase has passed, these two lives MUST learn how to merge
When the agreed to
responsibility seems too hard, all kinds of problems begin to surge
One or both can
look at someone else, suddenly feel this lustful urge
But those two words
“I DO” mean commitment, agreement to faithfulness unbroken
NOT, as we often
see, the belittlement of one’s spouse, in words that are spoken
Privately or
publicly, making the words “I DO” seem like a mere token
In marriage, two
shall become ONE, one in love, honoring each other…never betray
Forsaking all
others; what GOD has joined together let no man put asunder…in any way
Because divorce was
never in God’s original plan, the heart of the family this truth would lay
Now many say, but
what about me? I’ve already been married before
The past is PAST
and can be forgiven; God says marriage is honorable in all and He’s able to
restore
When new vows are
SAID & KEPT, a new life can begin behind yesterday’s door
Conflict will
happen in EVERY marriage, it’s HOW you handle them when they occur
You could fight it
out with harsh angry words, forgetting those sweet memories we prefer
Or we can simply
withdraw, push the words down…to a later time defer
It takes hard work
and compromise to enforce what “I DO” truly meant
A spouse should
resist fixing the other’s problems...sometimes they just need to VENT
Always be ready
(like Jesus) to forgive, when a mistake is admitted and there’s a willingness
to repent
Make sure YOUR
priorities are in order, putting God and serving Him at the TOP of your list
Your spouse won’t
mind being second to the Almighty, in fact, they should insist
Family is number 3,
but EQUAL love, respect and consideration to ALL whom, in this class, consist
When passion and
romance has “cooled” and a “hot” new co-worker just started last week
Reinforce your
commitment to “I DO”, don’t become vulnerable and weak
Instead of lustful
thoughts, stir the embers at home, perhaps more than that kiss on the cheek
Spouses often have
different interests, dividing their time, pulling them apart
One loves football
& the other a love story, watch both together…it’s only smart
Get away for dinner
on a date night, plan adventures, thoughts about the future impart
That day you
confidently said “I DO” did you really consider the ‘in sickness and
health’ phrase?
What it would
require to lovingly care for a handicapped spouse the rest of their days?
Could you carry on
FAITHFULLY in the absence of appreciation & praise?
‘For richer, for
poorer’ are quickly brushed aside in the wedding day ecstasy
But “money trouble”
will cause many unions to disconnect to a sad degree
Hard work, WISE
spending, compromise, deciding together…it’s a bright future when both agree
Words have a huge
impact on both spouses, not only the meaning, but the TONE
Constant cutting,
sarcastic criticism can change a loving heart to an unyielding stone
A sincere
unexpected compliment or “thank you” lifts the other’s spirit…in person or by
phone
There are unions
doomed from the start, one simply walks away…gone for good
Or persistent
un-repented unfaithfulness, or not fulfilling any of the sworn vows like they
should
So we see how
important it is to choose wisely, the TRUE nature of the other needs to be
understood
Please take ANOTHER
look at what brought you together, those qualities you admired in the first
place
Go back, working
together, those steps you took then, now retrace
Avoid divorce by
renewed faith, PRAY you both grow in God’s Good Grace
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