I love weddings. Seeing the groom's face as he sees his bride for the first time is probably my favorite part! The sweet couple exchanges vows, shares communion, kisses, hugs, cries and celebrates their "big day" (the most important day of their life). You see the nervous smiles, the twinkle of adoration in their eyes, the anticipation of a new chapter and a beautiful love story. 

They make serious vows like "til death do we part" and "through good times and bad" but there's not a lot of weight attached to those words, and there really can't be on that day, because there's no true roots and depth to those promises yet. Those words will be put to the test as marriage begins and things start to become the norm, the fun bliss fades, and life just goes on. That's when those words and those loving eyes and passionate glances have to stick. Birth of children, maybe losses of children or family members, jobs, houses, sickness, stress, blessings and joy as well--all things that can happen to everyone.

The sad thing I see so often, is the beauty and sacredness of marriage is lost and trampled on so quickly when things get hard or feelings "change" for their spouse.

I was thinking the other day... "what if a couple was surprised 4 or maybe 5 years later with a 2nd wedding ceremony?"  Would their eyes have that same sparkle? Would they be so anxious to say those vows and kiss their groom?  Sadly, most I would guess the answer is no. There would be regret, hurt, unhappiness in their eyes. There might not even be a wedding because they're already divorced. Maybe there'd be annoyance in those vows because of things they have held against each other or done towards the other.

So how do you fix that? How do you make it like you're newlyweds again and that excitement and passion isn't lost? 

It's a choice—Every single day.

You wake up choosing to love the other more than you love your own needs and wants and desires. If you are doing that, your perspective and expectations are in the right place. You're not tempted to cheat or lie or "fall out of love" because you're not thinking of yourself--you're thinking of the person you vowed to love forever and ever. You're going to fight for your marriage even if it's in a terrible season because you love that person more than yourself and will do anything to fix whatever the is the issue, and if it doesn't work because the spouse won't let it, at least you know, before God, you gave it your every ounce of everything you have—even if the issues aren't your fault at all. 

You strive to forgive and truly let things go, not hang the hurt over each other's heads or bring up old hurt continually and slowly beat that person down. You won't have eyes comparing other people's marriages or lives because you're so busy working hard on your own. You won't feel so neglected or forgotten or lonely (don't get me wrong, we all have our moments) but as a whole you will feel content because he or she completes you and is only a human too--they aren't perfect and will fail you, as you will them.

You stay in the Word every day and pray hard for your marriage, your spouse and yourself! 

You keep no secrets, NONE. And you strive to not let tiny bits of sin creep into your home, your hearts, and your marriage... or it snowballs into much bigger things. 

If you're not married, look for someone who views marriage as sacred and FOREVER as you do. Marry someone who fears the Lord and doesn't take His word lightly, someone who loves Jesus more than you.

Our generation seems to have lost its fight for Holiness. Marriage is a gift from God, let’s guard it with all we have. 

“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. Love never fails [it never fades nor ends].
1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-8 AMP