We are entering that season of year where there are lots of people getting married.  As an ordained minister I have the privilege to officiate wedding ceremonies.  Wait a minute, that sounds too mundane, too routine, too clinical, too run of the mill and nowhere near what actually transpires.  I am blessed, honored and humbled to be able to serve the Lord when a man and a woman come into His presence to take vows and commit their lives to one another and commit their marriage unto Him.  I have been blessed to officiate at weddings for many people over the years.  Last week, I was blessed to officiate at the wedding for one of my cousins…a few years back I was blessed to walk my daughter down the aisle and then be the one to join her and my son-in-law in holy matrimony.  This Saturday I get the honor and the blessing to be the minister at my son’s wedding as he weds the lady of his dreams and we add a wonderful young lady to our family.  The Lord is good!

My uncle told me one time, “All marriages that last have something in common – nobody left and nobody died.”  It is true; marriages endure tough times because couples are committed to working through problems and talking through issues and not giving up on the vows they have made to one another.  They stay instead of leaving.  They forgive one another just as Christ has forgiven them.  The commitment should not be taken lightly; marriage really is meant to be “until death do you part.”  In Mark 10:9 Jesus was speaking of the great commitment in marriage and said “What therefore God joins together, let no man separate.”  It is God’s desire that we keep the vows which are made to one another and which were made in His presence.  And anything that God wants us to do; He will help us to do.

Yes, this is the time of the year where many people get married.  Pray for those marriages and the other marriages you know to be healthy, happy, enduring and God-honoring.  Pray for couples to always have love for one another; wisdom, discernment, sensitivity and the readiness to forgive.  Pray for couples to be committed to one another so that what God joins together no man separates.