So again I say, a man must love his wife as a part of himself; and the wife must see to it that she deeply respects her husband — obeying, praising, and honoring him.
Ephesians 5:33 TLB
When I got married, I’ll have to admit I paid little attention to what the preacher said. My goal was to make it though the ceremony without tears, without passing out, and without committing a major faux pas. When I repeated the words, “for better or worse, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do us part,” they were just canned words with little meaning – at least at the time.
Being young and in love can cause us to be short-sighted and naïve. We tend to live in the moment, get caught up in the excitement and romance, and fail to see down the road when romance has a head-on collision with reality.
Saying “I do” meant a lot more than I realized. What I was actually saying was: “I do dishes, I do laundry, I do dirty diapers, I do nursing duty, I do chauffeur service,” and so on. All that “I doing” earned me a BA (bad attitude) until I found out it was part of the package.
Storybook romance paints an unrealistic picture of wedded bliss, perfect relationships, and happily ever after. That’s the better part and most of us think that’s what we signed up for.
The true test comes when we’re faced with the worse. That’s when we have to make a decision. We can turn and run or dig in our heels, call on the love of God to see us through, and give it all we’ve got.
When my husband said “I do,” I’m sure he didn’t expect to deal with bad hair days, difficult in-laws, and PMS. But, for thirty-nine years he’s put up with and loved me through it all – sickness, insecurity, disappointment, tears, and heartbreak. He’s also been there through the laughter and the good times, the joy of raising children, and the thrill of becoming a grandparent. He’s always by my side, sharing my faith, being my friend, and cheering me on to pursue my dreams.
If you want the real thing, invite God to be the Lord of your life and your marriage. He will bless you beyond measure and the better will always outweigh the worse.
Andrea Merrell is a freelance writer and editor with a passion to help others see God’s Word as practical and relevant for ordinary, everyday life. She enjoys writing fiction, articles, and devotions and is featured in Spirit & Heart: A Devotional Journey and Faith & Finances: In God We Trust. Andrea is a staff writer and Associate Editor for www.ChristianDevotions.us. She is also a contributing writer and copy editor for www.DevoKids.com, and lives in South Carolina with her husband (and best friend), Charlie. Visit her at: www.andreamerrell.com or www.andreamerrell.blogspot.com. Read Andrea’s devotions