A Wedding
Another Day Along the Way
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Another day,
Weddings.
I've officiated many. I've attended many. But none like this one.
I am not only attending to observe as a witness of vows pledged or guiding the event as an ordained minister approving of promises voiced. My eyes view this bride and groom much differently. The groom is our son; the bride is his dream come true.
My wife and I are happy. We are shocked at how quickly time passed. We are nervous, hopeful, joyful, worried, thrilled, and amazed. We are proud of them. We pray for them. We look at each other and glance again at photos from the past; we can hardly believe a few days from today a beautiful young lady will share our name.
If you are married, how is your commitment? What areas need a little improvement? Are you tempted to give up and seek an escape? Or are you willing to let giving love take precedence over receiving love?
If you are single but hope to one day become married, how are you preparing? Do the horror stories pack fear into your mind? Have past hurts flavored your view of people you notice?
For each of us, we can learn so much through vows and commitments. We can review our lives and see how we love our God, ourselves, and our world. For better, for worse, we can live this life of love.
Pray for Taylor and Brittany. Pray for us all. And pray for yourself, asking the Maker of Love to fill you with His care like never before. Pray you receive it and live it every day.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Practical Stuff: Work hard. Stay. Refuse to quit. Face difficulty, learn what God is seeking to teach you, give it your all, stop complaining, and choose to endure.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Another day,
Weddings.
I've officiated many. I've attended many. But none like this one.
I am not only attending to observe as a witness of vows pledged or guiding the event as an ordained minister approving of promises voiced. My eyes view this bride and groom much differently. The groom is our son; the bride is his dream come true.
My wife and I are happy. We are shocked at how quickly time passed. We are nervous, hopeful, joyful, worried, thrilled, and amazed. We are proud of them. We pray for them. We look at each other and glance again at photos from the past; we can hardly believe a few days from today a beautiful young lady will share our name.
If you are married, how is your commitment? What areas need a little improvement? Are you tempted to give up and seek an escape? Or are you willing to let giving love take precedence over receiving love?
If you are single but hope to one day become married, how are you preparing? Do the horror stories pack fear into your mind? Have past hurts flavored your view of people you notice?
For each of us, we can learn so much through vows and commitments. We can review our lives and see how we love our God, ourselves, and our world. For better, for worse, we can live this life of love.
Pray for Taylor and Brittany. Pray for us all. And pray for yourself, asking the Maker of Love to fill you with His care like never before. Pray you receive it and live it every day.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Practical Stuff: Work hard. Stay. Refuse to quit. Face difficulty, learn what God is seeking to teach you, give it your all, stop complaining, and choose to endure.
22 Comments:
getting married is scary to me. tell me what i should do to prepare better.
My wedding day was the happiest day of my life. I wouldn't change one thing from that day many years ago. Unfortunately what I would change is learning more about me and about my spouse BEFORE I got married.
As a single adult I used to get upset when people talked about marriage. I changed all that though. Now I take time and pray for them. Being single isnt easy but I can help other people. If you are singl and not planning on getting married, use that as a way to help a lot of people. I pray for your son.
One counselor told me to read books and discuss them. I plan to do that in my marriage.
Be sure to know what vows you are making before you say the words. Whether you are young and foolish or old enough to know better, those vows are made before God and you are actually expected if not commanded to keep them. Insanity, while it may be true, is not an acceptable reason for a divorce. The words from an old Meat Loaf song keep coming to mind: "So now I'm praying for the end of time..."
While there are many advantages to being married, if you can live without the sex and do not have a burning desire to father a child, STAY SINGLE!
Getting married was the best thing that I've ever done. My husband encourages and challenges me to become the person God created me to be and supports me through the successes and the failures. To your son and future daughter-in-law I would say to put one word on the refrigerator and leave it there for the rest of their lives:
COMMITMENT. That is what it is all about.
Thanks for the encouragement. As a "seasoned" married person, it is still a daily challenge. Some more practical stuff for those married 50 years and those about to be married: Notice each other. Notice little and big things. Notice things like clean houses and new pajamas and eye color and weeded lawns. Notice and tell each other that you notice.
I was told I would not be able to have children. When the Lord gave Taylor to us, we were blessed beyond words. It has been a privilege to watch him grow up and see the man of God that he has become. We have prayed for Brittany since before Taylor was born. We didn't know her name until recently, but she is the wife we have prayed for for Taylor. Although it is hard to believe that this day is now here, we know that God has blessed Taylor with a godly, Christian wife and we are so happy they will soon be married. I know that God will bless their marriage and their future. I am so thankful. I can't believe my son is old enough to be married. The time flew by. debbie
Congratulations, Chris! I am so happy for you and your son. I hope that this weekend is all that you dreamed of for him and his finace.
Thanks for the reminder of preparing for a future marriage relationship... it is easy to forget.
God bless.
Congratulations!
I am so happy for you and your son. I hope this weekend is everything that you dreamed of for him and his soon bride-to-be.
Thanks for the reminder to prepare for a future marriage relationship- it can be so easy to forget.
God bless you!
Chris, this is a good one. Marriage is wonderful and truly a gift from God. I'm afraid, however, that too many people look to their mate to complete them or make them happy. Colossians 2:10 says we are complete in Christ. Taylor and Brittany are going to be great together because they were complete in CHrist before they are married.
Pray together as a couple. Like Chris says, God needs to be the true reason for everything. Pleasing ourselves just doesn't work too well. Put in on your plans to go on dates together every week, just the two of you.
I do not appreciate all of the "horror' stories! I was told all kinds of UNTRUE things before I was married and I was terrified. but I changed thins though! I love my Husband with all of my heart and adore being married! I was married at the age of 19 and would not change a single thing! It is by far THE most wonderful gift God has ever given me! Not only am I completely in love with my husband but I choose to show that love everyday and I think that is a huge downfall in relationships to day! I've been married for four years now and I call him at least three times a day to tell him I love him and to pray for him. He is my man of God and I do believe he is the only one for me! For those of you that want to get married, do not listen to the bad stories come to me and I'll tell you all you want to hear of happy love stories!!
chris, dude, you're gettin old...aren't we all...seriously, God is totally in control...period...blessings, pd
Chris, Yes it is very hard to believe that Taylor is old
enough to get married, I have known him since he
was almost 5 years old, taught him in S.S., and have watched him as he has grown into a wonderful young man of Christ.. and I know that
God gives us the desires of our hearts, and I am sure in seeing them together and getting married
is certainly no mistake..... COMMITMENT is the word
they should remember daily..that is what marriage is built on..... HYG
Chris May The Lord enable You, Debbie and Your Family all the joy which comes with this joyest event.Our Heavenly Father will watch out for Your Son, and Daughter in Law.They not only have The Lord to lead them, but also a Good Earthly Example in Taylor's Parents.Many Blessings for the Maxwells as they enjoy this Happy Event.God Bless The Maxwells
Chris,
I just saw you recently in Houston, and we talked about how happy you and Debbie were. We also talked about how my husband and I were doing, and I must say after 24 years of marriage, it isn't easy, but if you truly love the other person and are committed to them, it's a no brainer!! (No pun intended!) You are very lucky to have been blessed with a son and soon a daughter, CONGRATULATIONS and GOD BLESS YA'LL!
Hi, Chris and Debbie,
We rejoice with you in the marriage of your son. Our youngest daughter was married almost 2 years ago and and after 6 months of marital bliss was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer. Thank God for our son-in-law (really our son!!!) who is such a man of God and loved our daughter and prayer her through. She is cancer free now and Jason (our son) is one of our heroes.
Enjoy every moment of the wedding, dear Friend. The Munizzis
I'm so happy for you and your family. God has truly blessed you and your family. You have been such encouragement in my life and I thank you for that. Also, thank you for helping me decide what I need for my future marriage.
keep the promises. let love be true love and not just when you feel good or enjoy everything thats going on. God is the answer.
Taylor and Brittany's marriage was a beautiful event. The Florida weather was as perfect as it gets here--I even took my shoes off and put my feet in the sand! Congratulations to Chris and Debbie for gaining a vivacious, pretty, godly daughter. Way to go, Taylor! Janice
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