In Sickness and In Health

The last few days I have been flat out.  It has been a rough time full of kleenex, fevers, and tears. The oldest of my kids seemed to get a lighter version and has already bounced back, me, on the other hand, still have sniffles and aches.

S and I did not have traditional wedding vows. We didn't do the whole 'have and to hold...in sickness and in health..' Yet, this weekend, S stuck by me. He suggested baths, brought me advil, and made sure we had enough tissues in the house. He also started laundry, watched Disney movies with the kids, and listened to my tear-filled passionate diatribe about injustice.

While we didn't vow about sickness and in health, here are our vows:

S:
I, S, take you, J, to be my wedded wife. With deepest joy I receive you in my life that together we may be one. As is Christ to His body, the church, so I will be to you a loving and faithful husband. Always will I perform my headship over you with my deepest love, my fullest devotion, and my most tender care. I promise I will live first unto God rather than others or even you. I promise that I will lead our lives into a lif of faith and hope in Christ Jesus. Ever honouring God's guidance by His Spirit through the Word, and so throughout life, no matter what may lie ahead of us, I pledge to you my life as a loving and faithful husband.

J:
I, J, take you, S, to be my wedded husband. With deepest joy I come into my new life with you. As you have pledged to me your life and love, so I too happily give you my life, and in confidence, submit myself to your headship as to the Lord. As is the church in her relationship to Christ, so I will be to you. S, I will live first unto our God, and then unto you, loving you, obeying you, caring for you, and seeking to please you. God has prepared me for you and so I will ever strengthen, help, comfort, and encourage you. Therefor, throughout life, no matter what may be ahead of us, I pledge my life as an obedient and faithful wife.


Amazing, isn't it?  Impossible, isn't it?  We have failed so many times, even recently. But, you know what? It's been an amazing journey - one that continues on. We are a picture of Christ and his Church. We are an imperfect picture, but an example nonetheless. I am glad that we are both committed to each other no matter what comes. I am glad that when we hurt each other and live away from these vows, there is forgiveness and eventual restoration. I'm also glad that there are days where we do live perfectly in our vows (by God's grace).

I am glad that Christ and the Church is a perfect marriage. That the vows that HE makes and already has made will never be broken.

My heart is full (and so is my nose),
xo,
J

soli deo gloria