It's crazy, isn't it?
The biggest commitment we will ever make, some of the most important words we will utter- we say once, and dwell on never again.
When's the last time you read over your wedding vows?
I mean a renewing of the wedding vows is usually something done at BIG momentous occasions.
But, what if we didn’t wait for 10 years, or 25 years? What if we made a choice to renew our vows daily to our spouse?
This thought occurred to me as I was listening to a radio program that mentioned vow renewal.
I was thinking about my wedding vows, and BOOM, to my disgust I realized that I do not even remember exactly what I said in those vows! But, I have a feeling I'm not alone in that.
Most days I go about my business. I get busy with my home, or my kids, or whatever task is at hand. I often respond to my husband out of my emotions, my exhaustion, my “I have nothing left to give.”
BUT, what if we started looking at our wedding vows daily? What if we chose to dwell on them? What if we made it our priority to live out those vows in everyday life?
Think about it. Have you cherished your spouse today? Have you intentionally lived out love to them?
Many days, I unintentionally make a choice. My day was hard, or I don’t feel good, or I’m just cranky and so I excuse myself from going out of my way to love my husband. Of course, I still love him, but if a stranger was in our house observing, they likely wouldn’t know it.
What if I really lived out that “for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer…”?
Even on the days when I really feel like crap?! YES!
Even on the days when I’m extremely stressed about finances?! YES!
Even on the days where it feels like my husband is being a royal jerk?! YES!
So, today I read my vows. I read the vows out loud to myself that I said in front of hundreds of friends and family members on that special day.
And, sadly, I realized how many days I neglected to carry out those vows. How many moments I could have been encouraging or tender. The times I could have chosen to cling to my husband but instead I chose to cling to my own selfish desires. The long days that I did not cherish, but likely did the opposite.
So, today I begin a new challenge- a challenge to look at those vows I made, not just once every 5 years, but every day. A challenge to be intentional today and tomorrow and the next day about living out my vows to my husband, even when I don't feel like it.
I know I will fall short, we all will. BUT, what positive changes will come from the attempt?
I challenge you to find your wedding vows, print them out, put them on your mirror, save them to your phone, or tuck them in your Bible, and then read them daily.
And then, make a choice to renew your vows TODAY and every day.
No ceremony, no fancy dress- just an honest, raw attempt to love better.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
What were your wedding vows? Share them below!
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