It's Not Fancy, Love's Commitment

Marriage; that 'till death do us part' commitment

...that 'what God has joined together let no one put asunder' undertaking

...that 'for better or worse' that's bound to try even the starriest eyes 

Marriage; that union no love is ever fully prepared for

Today Jim and I, by the grace of God

 celebrate 35 years of marriage

it's not fancy, love's commitment

keeping kindness on its toes

learning how to be more patient

rather than wield verbal blows

learning to weather together

what could well draw us apart

when differences strain the tether

that has knit us heart to heart 

it's not fancy, love in action

testing more than how one feels

 about the truth of attraction

after first love cools its heels

its a digging in together

so we do not drift apart

in our promise of 'forever'

love; not for the faint of heart

it's not fancy, love's meek glory

tempered by both smile and tear

it's as simple as 'I'm sorry'

**(it's as hard as this, my dear)

it's a bittersweet commitment

bringing out our worst and best

as we stick to the fulfillment

of  vows human natures test

it's not fancy, being faithful

being gentle, being strong

being unselfish and grateful

 helping each other along

following Jesus example

of a sacrificial life

it's not fancy, love's wonder-full

journey as husband and wife 

💖💖💖

Janet Martin

As life writes our love stories,

as years fall behind us so swiftly

faithful love of husband and wife reaps a harvest

so worth the effort.

and it's not fancy,

or glamourous,

(for by now we've both too often stumbled

and been soundly humbled) 

until all that is left to exclaim is

'thank-you God' for your faithfulness

making possible ours!

...and through it all we marvel at how love

doesn't look anything like we once envisioned, but the more beautiful

because of its weathering!

When we get to those seasons in marriage when we're sure it's not going to work,

it is vital we pray to God for His faithfulness to see us through,

to help us remain faithful to the vows we made before Him!

Nobody has a successful marriage because it is easy.

Faithfulness happens day by day...

the other day on Ann Voskamp's blog

this beautiful guest post!!

Day-to-Day Grace for your Marriage

Psalm 25:4

(a good prayer for marriage)

Show me your way, O Lord,

teach me your path.

** and a genuine 'I'm sorry' is not

"I'm sorry that you feel that I should be sorry for something

that I feel I don't need to be sorry for!!"😅

One of my fav love songs!

The Rose