Well? Let me see, I started blogging a year ago and took a very long break so....not too committed. I have started countless diets and well...a picture speaks a thousand words and since there is no picture then let me just say not so committed. I once committed myself to get and stay organized...that was a colossal waste of time and money on organization crap I barely used. I could go on but I won't because I am painting such a loser picture of myself. At any rate...it hit me, as I grabbed a bag of my favorite chocolate covered pretzels and a can of pop (because I am committing tomorrow to stop eating junk so I have to get in before midnight---don't act like you haven't done the same thing) --totally digressing...IT HIT ME....I have succeeded at commitment at least once in my life...my marriage.
Some of you may think this is not a major task. Well, I love my husband, however, we are all human and well...it is a commitment to love and honor, in sickness and in health....til death do us part. Let me tell you, that til death do us part doesn't mean you get to choose your crime scene, so choose your mate wisely. That til death do us part IS the part that will make you speak in tongue when you come home after having left him with your precious angels, only to find the house looks as if a gang of vandals had attacked and left food, clothes, toys, and hot chocolate finger paint stains all over the place. Til death do us part is a commitment. Ladies, here's the skinny...the two of you are not always going to be cute, sexy, adorable, and sweet...one day you WILL wake up (even in the BEST of marriages) and want to straight-up throat punch him---BAM--- (hmm...throat punching, now that's an entirely different blog). Yep, doesn't mean you love him any less just means you are human. Heck, he may feel the same way about you.
My point is, I committed to be a wife no matter what, through the best of times and through the worst of times. I committed to love someone not because he is cute, sexy (he is) or brings me gifts (although the gift giving can be the difference between sleeping on the couch vs sleeping in the bed...just kidding...not really) on the contrary, I love him because of his heart and love for me.
To honor and obey, in sickness and in health, til death do us part--no other time in one's life has a nobler vow been made. Marriage is not JUST about loving another person, I think that is the easy part. It's about patience, kindness, forgiveness, empathy, constraint (keeping your words and your hands to yourself), tolerance, friendship and faith. It's about praying your way through the things you don't know how to get through, giving God praise at every level, asking for help when needed, learning from your mistakes, realizing you belong to him and he belongs to you, submission in the purest since, and allowing God to have reign.
The latter is likely why my marriage and other marriages, that have far exceeded mine, have stood the test of time...it is a bond that we set before God and promised to cherish. When I feel that my life is too much I know where my help comes from, my help comes from Him, his grace and mercy has carried me through.
That, my friend, is the epiphany. All other life commitments have likely failed because we leave God out of them and try to tackle it all on our own...at least that is my thought. Whether you believe in my God or not, there is some greater power than our own that allows us to stay the course. My desire is to commit to life, health, and happiness the same way I have committed to love and marriage.
Be good to yourself and a blessing to others.
