Commit.
Fully dedicate yourself.
Wholeheartedly entrust what you most value.
In a world of one-night stands and part-time jobs and immediate gratification of most any desires, commitment is hard to come by.
That is what makes it so valuable. And so rare.
Commitment requires vulnerability. It is jumping all in with a no holds barred attitude, no going back, sink or swim – we are in this for good. No matter how bad it gets.
My husband and I have committed to a marriage covenant that is now approaching its thirty-fourth year. When we ignorantly pledged our love to each other as starry-eyed youth, we had no idea what we were vowing. We could not foresee the hardships, the challenges, the pain or sadness that would come knocking at our door. We only saw the rainbows and butterfly versions of life with each other. Let’s not talk about the storms that mix to form those colorful rays of light, nor the cocoon of larvae that precedes flying free with outstretched wings.
We have reached the point where we can look back and see the hand of God protecting our marriage. Years of learning and relearning what it truly means to love each other. How huge it is to entrust your life to another person so completely. For better or for worse. (Thankfully, it has been mostly for the better!)
To commit to your spouse is to choose them over and over even when they are less than lovable (referring to myself, of course). To continue to morph and grow together through the adjustments and changes of life, committed to keep the vows on your wedding day and live them out moment by moment. Year after year.
The world can have its one-night stands. Give me a man of integrity and honor who will stand with me through the hards of life. Give me a man who makes me laugh daily. Give me a man determined to grow old with me, aging together with a history built on this sacred love we share. Give me a man who loves Jesus and his family.
Give me a man of commitment.
Thankfully, God did, and I am forever grateful.
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This post is written in conjunction with https://fiveminutefriday.com/2022/02/10/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-commit/ Teaming up with an online group of writers who encourage others to share the words God has given them. The gist is to write for five minutes on a one-word prompt, then post your writing and link up with others who do the same — no overthinking, no deep editing, just free-writing in a short amount of time.
What an adorable couple you are.
Being married 28 years, has certainly tried my definition of commitment. We have had many ups and downs but through it all, God has been with it.
I’m thankful for a God that held us through those times when it felt less than wonderful. Our commitment to Him kept us committed to each other. I wouldn’t trade the love we have for anything!
My wife committed unto me,
wholehearted, and so kind,
and her parents thought that she
had gone and lost her mind.
In garage, an aeroplane,
in pieces but complete,
while outside in snow and rain
stood my truck that had been beat
near to death on mountain trails
and dropped once off a cliff,
body panels held with nails
and looking quite as if
I lived with no care in the world…
and now I had just wed their girl!
Lovely!
You two look so young in your wedding picture. Love it.
Beautiful post, Barbara.
Thanks for sharing.
We were 20 and 21 at the time… just a few short years ago! 🙂
Commitment is a choice and it is one that so many young people seem to be lacking! My husband and I will celebrate 23 years of marriage in May and, like you, we really had no idea how hard marriage could be. But, by God’s grace and infinite wisdom we love each other more today than we did then, and are completely committed to God and each other. Great post, thanks for sharing.
Cindy, I’m thankful God’s grace has increased your bond of love. It does seem to grow sweeter through the years. Here’s to many more years of togetherness! <3