Vows are for living after the ceremony ends
Real talk family: When we think about the part of our wedding vows that says “To Have and To Hold” we must consider the deep implication of acceptance, presence, and closeness. These words are about being entrusted with someone’s heart, life, vulnerability, tenderness, and truth (have). Its foundation is spiritual but also entails physical, emotional, and relational closeness with your mate for a lifetime (hold). The “have” aspect of our vows is related to entering into a covenant relationship that is exclusive. It signifies that you are taking your spouse and accepting them unconditionally.
From this day forward specifies a lifetime, a lifelong commitment in covenant relationship. The benefit of marriage includes the trust and safety each person is afforded in covenant relationship. It is more than an emotional commitment. You are not only connected by this vow, but, you spiritually build a life together, becoming one flesh under God’s design for marriage.
Covenant marriage is a relationship where love and togetherness is not only legal, but chosen daily, under God, no matter the circumstances, some of which are addressed and defined in other parts of our traditional wedding vows.
Imagine being loved in the truth of who you actually are. That is “to have and to hold” in its deepest form. I live in gratitude that James loves me this way. I have no fear of rejection, praise be to God.
#marriage
#faithandmarriage
#wedding
#covenantstrong
Is the wedding ring just jewelry?
Real talk family. We plan to explore, define, and understand the meaning behind the wedding day, the ceremony as well as our marriage vows. Let’s fully understand what we said "I do" to, and; what “I do” should mean for the happily ever after.
Your wedding ceremony does not only represent one special day, but more importantly, it represents a promise of love and marriage for a lifetime.
Marriage is one of the most beautiful commitments two people can make. So let's have fun with this series. We'll start the series by exploring what wedding rings represent.There are few things in marriage more familiar than a wedding ring. You wear it to work, to dinner, to church, to family events, and through the ordinary routines of life. Your wedding ring sits quietly on your finger, yet it speaks volumes.
A wedding ring is not just jewelry. It is a symbol of covenant.
The ring's circular shape, with no beginning or end, has long represented eternity, wholeness, and enduring love. Before wedding rings became beautiful accessories, they were visible reminders of the sacred promise each spouse made before God and witnesses.
Does passion sustain itself alone?
I hope you missed me delivering my weekly blog. I was without my laptop mid-March and just decided it was too much to update this blog via phone (I’m still very old school). But I’m back. I'm excited about April blogs. We have a lot of good things to share. Let’s start this off talking a little more about passion in marriage. To have passion, chemistry must exist, right? Wrong.
Chemistry is magnetic. It pulls you in without effort. But what many couples eventually discover is that while chemistry is instant, presence, connection, and partnership is built over time. Partnership steadies love. This kind of steady love is lasting because it’s achieved through time spent building something special together. This kind of love includes patience with each other’s differences and most importantly, being fully present in the process. One of the things you will appreciate most about intentional presence is how passion matures as a result of it. Yes, passion.
While James and I had the natural passion that exists with good chemistry, we also experienced the deep passion that grows, lasts, and isn’t always rushed, but expected to be savored over a lifetime. A relationship full of passion is one of the greatest benefits of marriage. While sex is not the only consideration when you have a passionate relationship, your intimacy is so much better when you can guiltlessly satisfy the burn Paul talks about in I Corinthians 7.9 within covenant marriage. Real talk couples, really think about this. As your marriage becomes stronger, your love and passion become stronger as well. Imagine how great your passion is as you grow together over the years. Nothing we have sustains itself so don’t be confused about your role in the process. Every area of your marriage requires being intentional.
Reflection:
Work on a shared goal this week then pause and celebrate it together, fully present, with time, and permission to passionately show up for one another.
Also ask yourself: Are we giving your love time to grow or expecting it to sustain itself?
Prayer:
God, help us build a partnership rooted in patience and presence, where our love and passion can grow over time. Amen.