“I do,” is one of the shortest sentences in our English language and yet it carries a promise that’s too vast to be measured by man.
It’s not one thing we do, but a thousand little things that make up the sum of our vows.
Long-lasting love doesn’t happen by accident. We don’t find ourselves holding hands after twenty-five years with the one that we love by pure chance. Love is deliberate, it’s intentional, it’s purposeful, and in the end it’s worth every minute that we give of ourselves to another.
Marriage is a thousand little things.
It’s giving up your right to be right in the heat of an argument. It’s forgiving another when they let you down. It’s loving someone enough to step down so they can shine. It’s friendship. It’s being a cheerleader and trusted confidant. It’s a place of forgiveness that welcomes one home, and arms they can run to in the midst of a storm. It’s grace.
It’s giving of yourself tirelessly down paths you’d never imagine to travel. Through sickness and pain, poverty and loss, it’s carrying the weight of another. It’s being the smile they see in the morning, and the body they hold close at night. It’s pure love. It’s standing together in the face of adversity. It’s riding alongside each other in a battle that threatens to tear down your marriage and seeks to grab hold of your faith. It’s strength under pressure.
It’s listening to the heart of another and understanding their pain. It’s offering words of encouragement when they need it most. It’s walking hand-in-hand in the park, and a gentle kiss in the pouring rain. It’s laughing together.
It’s endless compassion.
Marriage is ordained by an almighty God, and when we live out our vows according to His incredible wisdom and grace… it never fails.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-6, NIV
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene Schacht
Want the printable? It’s two pages–both high resolution for clear printing, set to print out at 8 x 10 inches each. Click the images below to download and print your copies. Or click here.
Please note that the files are large, so if your computer is slow, or you’re trying to open them on an iPad, you might have a little trouble. I split the PDF into two files to help with download. Hope you like them!
Note: KJV is also available. Click image to find all three files.
Check out my new book, The Virtuous Life of a Christ-Centered Wife: 18 Powerful Lessons for Personal Growth
