June has traditionally been the most popular month for weddings. I myself was a June bride, three of my close friends were June brides and my daughter was married in June. This year alone I have been invited to two June weddings. Yeah for June! Anyway, I have the “Here Comes the Bride” song stuck in my head. I am not really a big romantic but there is just something about a wedding. Everyone is dressed up and on his or her best behavior anxiously awaiting the arrival of the bride. Music is playing and candles are lit and vows are exchanged. All that arouses a little romance in even me. A couple of weeks ago, I watched as the bride and groom stood and exchanged vows and it reminded me of my wedding day.
Of course my mind had to go way way back to my wedding day – June 6, 1970 – yes you did the math right it has been 41 years ago last week. Yes, I realize that is longer than some of you have been alive. I was 18 and just out of high school. No, you really don’t need to do the math on that one. I was confident and unafraid and oblivious to all the dangers that lay ahead. I thought he could do anything and he thought I could cook. We both have had to make adjustments - him more than me. I will say he is still the most fantastic person I know and the song I sing to him (only in private) is …
You're still the one that makes me laugh
Still the one that's my better half
We're still having fun, and you're still the one
As I think back on the commitment I made on June 6, 1970, I am reminded of another commitment I made even years before that. I gave my heart to Jesus when I was about seven years old. At seven, I made a commitment that has stuck all these years even though I didn’t realize the depth of the commitment I was making. At seven, I would have told you that I gave Jesus my whole heart but every year since then I have grown to love Him more. My heart continues to expand to take in more of His love. It may be about time to renew my vows to the Lord because a lot has changed in the last 52 years.
As I watched the giving and receiving of rings a couple of weeks ago, I remembered something I had copied years ago. These are the words the Lord speaks over you and me… please read them slowly.
“I give you My love
My faithfulness reaches to the skies
I will be faithful to you
I gave Myself for you long ago for
I have loved you from before the birth of time
Every path that you walk will be Fragrant
With my lovingkindness and My truth.
I promise to be patient and kind
To never be selfish or rude
I will not demand My own way
Nor will I be irritable or touchy
I will not hold a grudge against you
Even though you should treat me shabbily
I will delight in your love
I will be loyal to you
And I will never leave you or forsake you
I promise you these things
And I do not lie
Seek Me first, love Me above all others
And I will take care of you; I will meet your every need
These things I declare…
I will keep these promises, which I have sworn to you
For I am faithful …forever.”
Source Unknown
In today’s world of broken promises, lies, deceit, disappointments, and people only concerned about themselves, this pledge of God to you and me is overwhelming. Why would the God of the universe love me and make these promises to me? Why would He continue to love me when I doubt Him, ignore Him, and break my promises? I can only say that it is because He not only loves me He is love. The Lord has been true to every promise to me. I wish I could say the same but I cannot. So today I choose to renew my vows to my Lord who is still the love of my life. I hope you will join with me and put in your name.
I (Judy) take you Jesus to be my beloved from this day forward. I promise to love you above all others. I promise to give my life in service to you. To show you the honor and respect that are due to you. I promise to obey your words to me and forsaking all others keep myself only for you. I give you my heart.
I watched as the groom (who had walked in with the minister and groomsmen) and the bride (who had walked down the aisle with her father) now grasp their hands together – turn and face the congregation and then together they take the first steps as man and wife. Even though I have loved the Lord for 52 years every day is a new beginning and my love grows deeper. His love is the very air that I breathe. So today I turn towards Him and take His hand. I leave all others and take the first steps of my renewed commitment with excitement and anticipation as to what the next 52 years may hold. The song “Here Comes the Bride” is now replaced by
You're still the one that makes me laugh
Still the one that's my better half
We're still having fun, and you're still the one.
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