Two Awesome Words

It is an amazing scene, a minister, a man, and a woman stand at the center of their world. With the force of magic and mystery the man and the woman both say the magic incantation, “I do.” It is not magician’s trick – no illusion. It is a moment of transformation.

At the utterance of these powerful and magic words something awesome and mysterious takes place. On the surface from the view of the public, little seems to happen; but something life transforming occurs.

As you speak these words, you are forever changed. A man becomes a husband. A woman becomes a wife. The transformation is instantaneous and progressive. You can never be the same as you were again.

How long does all of this to happen? Only as long as it takes to say, “I Do.” Dating ends. Courtship ends. Independence ends. Aloneness ends. Suddenly there is marriage, union of two into one, and completion.

Your selfish thoughts, feelings, and pursuits are willing set aside to protect and nourish your marriage. Sensual intrigue and pursuits for everyone of the opposite sex are forever willingly cast aside to embrace true intimacy with your partner alone.

Ownership, control, housing, food, attire, entertainment, and friendships all suddenly change. You no longer own, control, live, eat, dress, seek entertainment, or engage friends by yourself. Now all things revolve from your union as husband and wife. All of life revolves and emanates from your union. Half of everything belongs to your partner. Even you belong to your partner.

Perhaps there are no more powerful words than these except the words, “I love you.” For these three words form the motivation and force behind the two. It is in these three that we begin to grasp just a little of what the words “I Do” might actually mean.

How well does a bride or bridegroom really understand what they are saying or what is going to happen when they speak those two words? Do they grasp the scope of their implied commitments or does the emotional surge of the moment cloud their minds? Exactly, how can a man or woman be ready for this transformation?

The promises contained in the words can be overwhelming. A man promises to change how he thinks, feels, and does in almost everything. He pledges his life to his bride with all his wealth, all his resources, all his strength, and all his values. He actually enters a legal marriage contract that dictates what he can and cannot legally do for the rest of his life.

A man commits himself to sexual purity and faithfulness in which he refuses to even contemplate being with any woman other than his wife.

The man promises to provide for his wife and family the vital necessities of life including food, shelter, clothing, and emotional support for the marriage to thrive. Yes, his wife can help, but he assumes responsibility for providing. He essentially pledges that he will sacrifice his own needs and interests for the benefit of his wife and family. He promises to listen to his wife and consider her needs above his own.

I have a car before the wedding, and half a car after the wedding. I own a house before the wedding, and half a house after I say “I do.” I possess a large screen TV, a surround sound stereo system, a motorcycle, and a house full of furniture before I repeat my vows; and afterward I own only half of these. My partner owns the rest.

The man promises to protect his wife and family from all threats. This implies that he even sacrifice himself to protect his family. He guards his wife and children against the violence of the world and the barrage of subtle attacks that can arise against his home.

A bride pledges herself as well when she speaks those words “I do”. She promises to give herself to her husband physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She accepts as her duty to be faithful and dedicated to true intimacy with her husband alone.

Standing side by side with her husband the wife commits herself to be a mutual partner in life. She is there when all is well, and she is there when storms arise. She honors and respects her husband and joins him to share the challenges and blessings of life. She stands ready at any moment to sacrifice her own desires for the welfare of their marriage and family.

The promises entailed in the words “I do” go far beyond those mentioned her, and they have a way of deepening and expanding with passage of time and experience. Fundamentally, a man and woman pledge themselves to each other exclusively for every facet of their lives physically, emotionally, socially, economically, and every other way. Indeed, these magical words transform two individuals into one completed person for the rest of their lives. To learn more about the commitments and joys of marriage as well as find vast resources on marriage check out Wedding How. Com or see the resource box below.

Wedding How. com provides vast free wedding helps including sample wedding vows like Hawaiian Wedding Vows and wedding vows suitable to Renew Wedding Vows. Pick up a copy of the free ebook The Ultimate Wedding Resource Guide.