Promises to Love My Husband – and God!
Carol believes in promises like the one to love her husband. She compares this to the promise that she made to God many years before.
What promises have you made? Share your comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
My Summers
In the puzzle pieces of my life, summer means speaking at camps but it also includes a few family birthdays and my wedding anniversary on August 4. I took time to reflect on forty-five years of marriage with all its ups and downs. Here are some thoughts I wrote about a promise I made so many years ago.
An Important Promise
Dear Brian,
Decades ago, I stood in front of God and our invited guests. In our vows, I promised to love, honor and obey for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health until death parted us. I meant the vows I spoke that day. I spoke them from my heart to yours. I just had no idea what life would throw at us.
We have experienced a variety of things, some better and some worse. The poorer happened more often than not. The richer part, well I am still waiting for earthly riches to appear but not counting on them either. We have started over a few times in different communities and at different jobs as well as financially but we have done it together.
Taking Health For Granted
I took health for granted. We were both young, in love and feeling invincible. Head knowledge reminded me if I planned to grow old with you, aches, pains and ill health might follow, but really how bad could it get.
Now I know I should never take health for granted or the promise to love you in sickness in the same light hearted manner I promised it long ago.
Cancer struck your life, not once but twice. This dreaded disease happened to you and affected both of us. I watched your pain increase and the frustration build as you grieved no longer being able to work. Life changed in ways we never expected. Doctors had few answers. We did not know which questions to ask. Your patience stretched to breaking and hurtful words escaped. I knew their root cause had nothing to do with me but pain happened anyway.
I Promised to Love You
I promised to love you until death parts us. Well it has not claimed either of us yet. Even on the days when we both wish our journey had not taken this turn for the worse, healthwise, I still love you. When our plans need to change and excursions are limited, I still love you. When the pain and life changes cause hurtful words to escape your lips, I still love you.
In my youthful eagerness to marry you, I made a promise to love you no matter the circumstances of life we encountered. My promise to love you for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health is a promise I intend to keep.
Difficult Times Over the Years
Yes, my husband and I have experienced some very difficult times over the years but I learned many things along the way. During this time of reflection about the promises I made to my husband on our wedding day, I thought too about promises that will never be broken – God’s promises.
I love my husband but there are times we disagree, struggle in our relationship because of tough times and always need to work at understanding each other. As much as I love him and I know he loves me, God loves both of us and everyone else in the world more than we can ever be loved by another human being. It does not matter to God whether we are married or alone, old or young, rich or poor, broken or well. He just loves us and desires us to love him and have a relationship with him.
Bible Promises
The Bible holds many promises from God. They are for those who follow and obey. Hebrews 4: 22 & 23 (NIV) says, “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is faithful.”
To have a good relationship with anyone else, whether a spouse, your children, nieces, nephews, parents or friends we need to communicate with them. We have to spend time with them and not just when all the puzzle pieces of life are lining up and fitting together well. Only time and good communication allows relationships to deepen and stand the test of time.
It is the same when it comes to our relationship with God. I need to spend time talking to him (prayer) and listening to him as well as reading his love letter, the Bible. I can’t wait until life is falling apart and then beg for help. I need to hang out with him when life seems to be smooth sailing too.
Love Always
I remember my promises to my husband forty-five years ago. I loved him that day and love him still. I always have through the years and I always will.
I chose to follow God even longer ago than I married my husband. I plan to love him always. I pray he will help me keep my promises of love to my husband no matter what the next years bring. I pray God will give me the desire to have a stronger and stronger relationship with himself, no matter what happens with whatever puzzle pieces he puts into my life.
What promises have you made? Share your comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Carol Harrison
Listen to Carol’s program Puzzle Pieces Of Life or visit Carol’s website carolscorner.ca
Carol Harrison B.Ed is a speaker and published author with one book, Amee’s Story and stories in twelve anthologies. She is passionate about helping people of all ages and ability levels find their voice and reach their fullest potential.
She knows, through personal experience that some of life’s experiences are tougher than others. She encourages people that even in the twists and turns of life God’s amazing grace provides hope.
She lives in Saskatoon, SK with her husband Brian. They have four adult children and a dozen grandchildren.
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