I love weddings. Don't you?
I love the romance of them. I love the freshness and the newness of the relationship as the happy couple gaze into each other's eyes. I love how they gaze at each other even when separated by a room full of people. I love the smiles, the laughter, the tears of joy. I love the hope! Most of all I love the hope.
In the beginning we have an unending hope.
Hope in our futures.
Hope in each other.
Hope in Love.
We stand before God, our family, and friends and listen to 1 Corinthians 13, “the love chapter", believing all of the things love is and isn't. Knowing we and our new spouse are going to be perfect together, in our love. Oh there are going to be rough spots, but in our blissful, hopeful heart we just know we will "love without fear because Christ first loved us" (1 John 4:16-19) and can conquer anything! ANYTHING!
I don't mean to sound like a cynic, but the blissful, unending, never failing love we believe in on our wedding day often gets interrupted by real life and hope begins to fade.
Each conflict
Each miscommunication
Each harsh word
Eventually fades our hope until the 'h' becomes an 'n' and we arrive at Nope's door.
Nope. this isn't what I thought it was going to be.
Nope, this isn't what marriage is supposed to look like.
Nope, I didn't get what I signed up for.
Nope, I am not happy.
Suddenly, the little things we use to find so adorable or that we overlooked in the beginning become bones of contention after we're married.
Grow up! It isn't hard to put your dirty laundry in the hamper! I am not your mother or your maid! (Love is kind?)
We're going to be late, again! Why does it take you so long to get ready? Can't you ever be on time? (Love is patient?)
You always hurt my feelings, did you forget about that one time when you...? (Love doesn't keep track of wrongs?)
It may not be the week after your wedding, it may not even be by your first anniversary, but it will happen because that is just how life works.
We are human. As humans, we rarely pull off the unconditional love thingy that the "love chapter" describes.
Doesn't mean we don't try.
Doesn't mean we are failures.
Doesn't mean we should give up.
Just means, we need more guidance.
Over the next few weeks I will be looking for just that,
more guidance.
The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Living Bible (TLB)
I hope you'll join me on this journey of discovery as I look at and learn from scriptures not typically associated with marriage. Verses about getting through rough spots, serving one another and what that looks like, and guidance in general about relating to each other.
I look forward to making this journey with you and am excited to hear what your thoughts are as we stop to ponder each verse.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Father, I come to you thankful for the words you have given to us. Words of wisdom and guidance. I pray Father that you take each heart that comes on this journey and mold it into what you desire it to be. Thank you for hard times that grow us. Thank you for the good times that show us love is patient, kind, and understanding. Let our hearts be open to You and all You have to teach us. In Your precious Son's name, AMEN.
I love the romance of them. I love the freshness and the newness of the relationship as the happy couple gaze into each other's eyes. I love how they gaze at each other even when separated by a room full of people. I love the smiles, the laughter, the tears of joy. I love the hope! Most of all I love the hope.
In the beginning we have an unending hope.
Hope in our futures.
Hope in each other.
Hope in Love.
We stand before God, our family, and friends and listen to 1 Corinthians 13, “the love chapter", believing all of the things love is and isn't. Knowing we and our new spouse are going to be perfect together, in our love. Oh there are going to be rough spots, but in our blissful, hopeful heart we just know we will "love without fear because Christ first loved us" (1 John 4:16-19) and can conquer anything! ANYTHING!
I don't mean to sound like a cynic, but the blissful, unending, never failing love we believe in on our wedding day often gets interrupted by real life and hope begins to fade.
Each conflict
Each miscommunication
Each harsh word
Eventually fades our hope until the 'h' becomes an 'n' and we arrive at Nope's door.
Nope. this isn't what I thought it was going to be.
Nope, this isn't what marriage is supposed to look like.
Nope, I didn't get what I signed up for.
Nope, I am not happy.
Suddenly, the little things we use to find so adorable or that we overlooked in the beginning become bones of contention after we're married.
Grow up! It isn't hard to put your dirty laundry in the hamper! I am not your mother or your maid! (Love is kind?)
We're going to be late, again! Why does it take you so long to get ready? Can't you ever be on time? (Love is patient?)
You always hurt my feelings, did you forget about that one time when you...? (Love doesn't keep track of wrongs?)
It may not be the week after your wedding, it may not even be by your first anniversary, but it will happen because that is just how life works.
We are human. As humans, we rarely pull off the unconditional love thingy that the "love chapter" describes.
Doesn't mean we don't try.
Doesn't mean we are failures.
Doesn't mean we should give up.
Just means, we need more guidance.
Over the next few weeks I will be looking for just that,
more guidance.
The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Living Bible (TLB)
I hope you'll join me on this journey of discovery as I look at and learn from scriptures not typically associated with marriage. Verses about getting through rough spots, serving one another and what that looks like, and guidance in general about relating to each other.
I look forward to making this journey with you and am excited to hear what your thoughts are as we stop to ponder each verse.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Father, I come to you thankful for the words you have given to us. Words of wisdom and guidance. I pray Father that you take each heart that comes on this journey and mold it into what you desire it to be. Thank you for hard times that grow us. Thank you for the good times that show us love is patient, kind, and understanding. Let our hearts be open to You and all You have to teach us. In Your precious Son's name, AMEN.