Keep That Love Alive!

Do they know what they are promising? Those famous vows: “For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do we part…” What part of forever do they not understand?

People divorce for a multitude of reasons, but most often those reasons were cancelled out under the vows made on that day. Was it the flowers that distracted their attention from the promises? The lovely bridesmaids? The handsome groomsmen? The glory of all the photography? Maybe it was the delight in the upcoming honeymoon, or the fantasy of finally getting away from Mom and Dad and having a real relationship with another human being miles away from what had always been considered home.

What causes one to take so lightly the promise of forever? Can it be that one can justify divorce over illness, yet is it not covered under “sickness and health”? Tragic loss of a child? The “worse” in “for better or for worse” should cover that one. Bankruptcy? Disease? Mental illness? They’re all here, under the same vows that promise to honor, cherish and protect forever.

How can we make the vows any stronger? Should they be spoken louder on that day? Be signed in writing? Framed and mounted on the wall with the wedding photos? Distributed to friends and family for accountability? Perhaps posted on a web site for all to see? It seems some have a grand illusion that a marriage comes with a “satisfaction guarantee, or your money back”, or “exchanges gladly accepted within 60 days if not completely satisfied” agreement.

Did we break too many “pinky swear” promises as a child? Vow to go steady with someone one day then break up all too easily the next? How is it that our promises have less weight and we are so quick to walk away?

My choice to keep my promise is a decision I make every day, a promise I vow to keep forever and ever, amen. After nearly 16 years of marriage, we have begun to grow old, but our vows have not lost their strength. The knot was tied, sealed by God, and by His grace we shall remain strong until death. It is not easy, no, not easy. But there is peace in the promise of forever. When you embrace the covenant of being chosen, and having chosen one forever, you sleep well, you laugh often, you love freely. Unconditional love, filled with hope, adventure and promise, is still alive and well today. Grab ahold of your marriage, love with all that is within you, renew your vows if you want to. Pull out the wedding photos from the old dusty albums, re-frame them and put them back up on the walls! One in every room. Have a new family photo taken, and at least one of just the two of you. Keep that love alive!