I did just a little research and discovered the average couple spend approximately $6,000 on an engagement ring and wedding bands. To some, that may not sound like much. To me, that’s a staggering amount.
I’m not insinuating women aren’t worth it. Not at all.
But I would like to make a comparison between how much people are willing to spend on rings and things while totally missing the most important gift one could ever give to their spouse.
You may be thinking, “I love my fiancé! Nothing is too much for her. I’d pay any amount for her to be happy. I’d climb the highest mountain, cross the hottest desert, do whatever was necessary to show everyone how much I love her.”
“And yes, I’d make ring payments for the rest of my life, if that’s what it took.”
Nice. I’m glad you feel that way.
But you may be forgetting just one little (well, it’s not really little) detail.
So I’ll pose a question.
If you’re willing to do so much for your fiancé/spouse, would you be willing to add just one thing more?
One thing?
Yes.
Would you be willing to honor your vows? Your wedding vows.
Your promise, troth, vow. Your word.
A lot of people don’t realize this, but your word is the most important thing you own. Whether or not you keep your word tells everyone what kind of person you truly are.
I’m convinced all divorces are the result of at least one of the spouses not keeping their word; they failed to honor their vows.
Is it always easy to do what you promised? No. Sometimes it is very hard and most unpleasant. But if you’ve opened your mouth and said, “I do.”, or, “I will”, then your obligation is to make sure you do it.
Forget the excuses.
Your name will not be respected if you can’t be trusted. All the “I love you” phrases you come up with will never replace keeping your word.
God keeps His Word. That’s why we can trust Him. It’s why patiently waiting for His answers isn’t nearly as hard as it could be. We know He’s not a liar; He’s always true to His Word.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35 NKJV)
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10 – 55:11 NKJV)
Notice in the Isaiah passage, God chooses His words for a purpose. He says them and expects them to be fulfilled. He guarantees their fulfillment or He’d never have spoken them.
That’s the same commitment He calling us to. We’re to choose our words and make it our duty, our utmost responsibility, to see they’re fulfilled.
Imagine what this world would be like if each person would “swear to their own hurt” (Psalm 15) if necessary in order to ensure their words, their promise, oath, and vow were carried out.
Is it too much to expect people who say they love their spouse to honor them by keeping their spoken vows?
I don’t believe so.
The most important thing you can give each other is the very thing that will help maintain the health of your marriage and cover your relationship with the covering of love –
Your word.
It’s worth a whole lot more than $6,000.
Jan Grace 