Having attended five weddings on the first five weeks of the year, I can't help but think about the wedding traditions that have evolved through time. You've probably heard of the wedding day custom of having "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." Until now the part where you wear something blue still fascinates me. It might be worth the research.
But for me, the most important part of a wedding is the ceremony. And my favorite part is the exchange of personal vows...when two people, with so much love, declares their life-long promises to each other. It is also during the ceremony when the scripture from 1 Corinthians about love is read:
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. Love never fails.
Someone once told me that this is the best affirmation you can give yourself and to your relationships...if you replace LOVE with I AM.
I am patient, I am kind. I do not envy, I do not boast, I am not proud. I honor others, I am not self-seeking, I am not easily angered, I keep no record of wrongs. I do not delight in evil but I rejoice with the truth. I always protect, I always trust, I always hope, I always persevere. I never fail.
Now that is some promise! When couples exchange vows...to experience so much unconditional love between two people, this is when I become really teary-eyed. I think this captures the true essence of a life-long marriage.
So to my friends who are about to get married or have yet to get married, you know I'll be there to witness this and know that in this way, you touch my heart.
