If these vows, repeated at the wedding altar, were thoroughly addressed in pre-marital counseling—so much so, that they are almost memorized—so ingrained to stick forever—then they may be recalled when reality hits home later (or sooner).
“I Promise” is a verbal declaration—“I give you my word.”
“I Pledge” is a promise backed with collateral—“I mortgage my life for you.”
– – –
I promise, I pledge, to you, [name], with everything I have from God’s power, that I will–
+ I will forsake all others, past, present, future.
+ I will cleave/cling to you.
+ I will cleave/cling only to you.
+ I will stay faithful to you as long as we live, with feelings and without feelings.
+ I will stay with you when we’re rich and when we’re poor.
+ I will stay with you when we’re healthy and when we’re sick.
+ I will stay close with you when we have faith and when we have doubt.
+ I will stay close together with you when we are strong and when we are weak.
+ I will stay together with you when we have warm feelings and when we don’t.
+ I will defend our marriage, our home, against all enemies outside and inside.
+ I will build our house (home) with the Lord to destroy the termites.
+ I will remember intimacy always, and catch the little foxes.
+ I will spend time with the Lord alone, every day.
+ I will spend time with the Lord together, every day.
+ I will spend time with you, every day.
+ I will “call upon the Lord in the day of trouble”.
+ I will “call upon the Lord in the day of trouble” with you.
– – –
I offered this at my youngest son’s wedding reception.
“Marriage is work, BUT remember to:
+ Spend 80% of your time and energy enjoying each other.
+ Spend 10% of your time and energy dealing with what the world throws at you.
+ Spend 5% of your time and energy dealing with what your spouse throws at you.
+ Spend 5% of your time and energy dealing with what you throw at your spouse.”
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