Are you keeping your promise to live “For Better, For Worse”?

Real talk family. For better or worse are words that are easy to say in a beautiful wedding ceremony. Truth is that most couples do not fully understand this vow until life begins to unfold because everyone imagines the “better” without anticipating the “worse” being a part of their future. It’s true. The better is easy to picture in marriage as we stand in front of one another to confidently share this important part of our vows. We imagine better to include all of the joy, laughter, milestones, celebrations, romance, answered prayers, and every aspect of the good seasons we associate with love. When we understand and even imagine that “worse” will come in our relationships, we can plan to let those difficult seasons strengthen our bond with one another.

For better, for worse is where covenant words become more than poetry, but practiced, chosen, and lived. “For worse” does not mean to expect your life or marriage to be miserable or always painful. It is in your vows for you to enter marriage with the understanding that real life will come. Real life includes good and bad. There will be stress, disappointment, misunderstanding, unexpected hardship as well as seasons that test your patience, maturity, and resilience. It is during those times that the sacred weight of our vow is realized.

This part of our vows is a commitment to remain present when life is difficult, when emotions are tender, when pressure is high, and when love requires maturity and endurance. But remember, it also addresses and anticipates the beautiful seasons as well.

Take the opportunity during your date night, to discuss some of the better and worse seasons of your relationship. An important question to ask yourself is how you showed up during each season and even more importantly, do you keep God as part of your covenant, the good and bad experiences.

Prayer: Heavenly Father. Thank You for the gift of covenant love. Help us not to fear difficult seasons, but to face them with grace, unity, and trust in You. Strengthen our love so that it remains steady in every season of life. Amen.