The Pastor shared a message that hit me in a way I didn't think it would. Usually when you go to a wedding, at least the ones I have been to, the Pastor shares stories he has about the couple or takes some scripture and creates a very generic message that could be related to anyone really. But this message was one I was clinging to every word of. I will try to give a good shorten version of it, but either way the message is pretty dang good.
The story involved a married couple that had decided to get all dressed up in their wedding attire and take a photograph every year on their anniversary. On their 5th wedding anniversary the couple was all ready to take the photograph and this year they were struggling financially. Bills were hard to pay, one of their kids was having medical problems, the furniture was old and worn, therefore they couldn't hire a professional photographer to take this years photo. As they were getting ready to take the photograph they ended up holding hands and repeating their vows all over again. While they were saying those promises to each other, the words for richer or for poorer flashed in their minds along with those bills they have laying on the table.
At 15 years, they were better financially, but before the photographer arrived the couple got into a fight and harsh words were said. Knowing the photographer had already left the studio, the couple went up to the attic, got out those wedding clothes, and put them on. When the photographer arrived, the couple wasn't into it. As they were getting posed into position, the couple got caught up in the moment and as they held hands started saying those promises to each other yet again. This time the words for better or worse flashed in their minds along with the image of the fight just a few moments prior.
Flash forward yet again to 47 years of marriage. The couple has aged considerably. The wife suffering from arthritis, ect. The wedding dress has yellowed and the husband's suit doesn't fit like it used to. As they got into position again and held hands those promises came from their lips and as they held hands, the husband felt his wife's knobby fingers and the words in sickness and in health flashed in his mind.
As I stood there and took in that story, not only did I think about all the beautiful years Brian & Cari will have together and all the tough times they will also experience, but I also thought about how those same vows can also relate to our relationship with Jesus. It is so very easy to love and worship the Lord when things are going 'our' way, but yet when trouble hits we are so quick to get angry at God for letting this happen to us. We love Him and obey Him so why on earth would He do this to us??
I am very much guilty of this. When things have gotten really tough I will be the first to admit that I have sat on my bed and yelled at God wondering how could You?? How could You do this to me?? Have I not obeyed you? Have I not loved You enough? Why would you leave me?
The thing is we are called to love God for better OR for worse; for richer OR poorer; in sickness AND health. The only difference is that instead of at the end saying til death do us part, we should be saying forever and ever amen.
Therefore I challenge all of us to go to the Lord tonight and give Him our solemn vow:
I, Christine Petty, take thee Jesus Christ to be my Savior,
to love & to cherish from this day forward.
For better or worse,
for richer or poorer,
in sickness and health.
Forever and ever amen
It may not be easy but I think we all know how worth it it will be in the end :)
-Chrissy
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