"For Better or Worse"

Are these words not being said in wedding ceremonies anymore?  “In sickness and in health, till death do you part.”

Now, I’m not married and even though I want to be, I seriously question my willingness to stick it out when faced with a time of really not loving my husband, or just being completely disgusted or disappointed by him. So, the idea of walking away I definitely get.  That is probably why I haven’t done it yet.  But there is a reason that we said these vows so long ago and why they are called vows.

What kind of commitment do you have if it is superficial, if you know that it is only based on you being a certain way at a certain time?

“I’m not going to love you or stand by you if you get sick.  I’m sorry that just inconveniences me.”

“I’m just not attracted to you now that you have gained 20 pounds.  I’m sorry.”

“We are just not the same people anymore.”

“I just don’t love you like I use to.”

Marriage isn’t something that is built for just a season.  It isn’t something established to revolve around you.  Marriage is a commitment, an involvement, a follow through.  When you get married, it is with the intention that things will change.  Your feelings will change.  Your looks will change.  My grandparents are beautiful people, but they did not look the same at the end of their life as when they first married, but their love was stronger than it had ever been.  And it is a guarantee that you will fall out of love with your spouse.  I say that because to us, love is a feeling and feelings change.  There are no guarentees with feelings. The truth is that LOVE is an act.  It is something you choose to do even when you don’t feel like doing it.  It is something that grows deep with nurture and care.  The more hard times you go through and work through, the more deeply rooted your Love becomes.

And this is the love we all want, whether we admit it or not.  To love without loss.  To love without regret.  To love without fear of losing. To love and to grow.  To love and to trust.  Love that walks away is never love like this. 

The real question in any marriage is how deep of a love do you really want, and what are you willing to do to have that kind of love?

Out of the Mouth of Mary Magdalene

Photographer unknown

Out of the Mouth of Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene was a woman that had 7 demons in her.  Seven foul retched demons plaguing and destroying her life.  She knew Christ and his love and his healing touch.  He delivered her from these demons and because of this, she followed and served him.  Mary was one of many woman that followed Jesus and cared for his needs both as he followed the path of the cross and before as he traveled and preached. 

Mary loved and knew him.  With everything in her, she wanted to serve him.

When Jesus died, she was there to watch him draw his last breath and when he rose again, she was the one that was greeted by angels and by the Living Christ. 

Mary Magdalene was a very special woman.  She was the first one to see the living Lord on the very first Easter Sunday ever.

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(John 20:14-18)

“At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

            “’Woman,’ he said, ‘why are you crying?  Who is it you are looking for?’  Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

            “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary’”

            “She turned to him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means teacher)”

            “Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father.  Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

“Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!”

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Christ lived and died so that we may know him and live eternally with him.  He gave all that he was.  Easter is not just about beautiful dresses on cute little girls or handsome young men in suits.  It is not about acknowledge him for just that one day to turn and forget about him tomorrow.  Easter is about remembering who He is and who He has always been.  Easter is about who we are to Him.  All of us are Mary Magdalene’s in Christ’s eyes.  All of us are worth the price He paid.  And all of us have something very special to be thankful for.

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Do you know Christ?  I know it is easy to read this and say “this is for those  type of people, not for me”.  Mary Magdalene is proof that Christ’s death was for you and everyone!  Knowing Him is like nothing else.  He loves in a way like no one else is able to.  I know, we as Christians, make constant mistakes.  We say the wrong thing. We are selfish, rude, very proud, sometimes just unloving and unfriendly.  We are NOT Him.  He is more than we could ever be.  Please do not let us and our bad behaviors keep you from knowing a man that can save your life and who loves you more than anyone anywhere.

 (additional scripture on Jesus’ death…..Matthew 27 & 28; Mark 15 & 16;  Luke 8:2, 23, & 24)

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Who are you REAL with?

Photo by blogger http://walkbyfaithquestionsconcerningdeath.blogspot.com/

Today I shared my feelings and thoughts with someone that I later wondered if whether it was a bad mistake.  I showed great weakness, not more than anyone else experiences but most people choose not to show it. Most people are smart not to show it.  There are only few people in our lives that we can afford to be 100% transparent with.  They are usually our closest of friends.

There are sometimes though that I feel our emotions are on surface level and the least little provoking will pull them out. 

For me, I was fortunate.  Apparently the one that I was so open with is someone that is really considered trustworthy and will not repeat it all as gossip.  That is a relief.  But one thing I noticed was when I opened up to a stranger who was curious, I didn’t get near as much relief as when I opened up to my good friend just moments later. My friend cared and her compassion was healing whereas the "stranger" was friendly, she was more curious than connected.

I needed to cry.  I needed to let my thoughts and feelings out, to fully express them.  My dear friend gave me that opportunity.  After my conversation with her, I felt a sense of relief that I needed.

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 Who do you open yourself up to?  Do you open up?  Or do you block yourself off saying "I'm o.k." I have it all together"?