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.
What happens to a man when he speaks these words? Immediately, he becomes a husband. What happens to a woman when she speaks these words? Suddenly, she is a wife.
Saying these two words marks a dividing line in relationship, life, existence itself. Independent life, dating, courtship, aloneness abruptly cease. Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, a single married union emerges full of life and hope.
Before you thought for yourself, and were concerned only for your desires. Afterward your whole focus revolves around the welfare and interests of the union of marriage. Before you were free to go on prowl for every sensual opportunity. Afterward you willingly gaze only upon your partner refusing to even glance at another option.
Before you were the owner of all your possessed, but afterward half of all you possess belongs to your life partner. Before you were your own Captain, but afterward every decision succumbs to the whims of your partner. For the rest of your days, every choice you make must be made as a married couple rather than as a mere lone individual. From the food you eat, to the shelter you inhabit, to the things that entertain you; your life must now function in tandem rather than apart. You belong to each other.
These two words are indeed magical. Perhaps, they are among the most powerful word ever spoken by man or woman. They change everything. But exactly what do these mysterious words mean? “I do.”
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?
When a man speaks the words “I do”, he is making some very definite promises of things he will do and not do. He becomes immediately obligated to his bride, to family, to friends, to society; to fulfill those promises no matter what. Even more he is entering into a legally binding contract to perform these things under penalty of law.
These promises include a pledge not only of faithfulness in which he vows never to enjoy sexual relations of any kind with a woman other than his wife. On the surface, this means he commits himself not to have an affair with another woman and not to abandon his wife for the arms of another woman. Underlying this pledge is a promise to avoid looking, flirting, even thinking about sexual relations with another woman.
“I do” accept responsibility to provide for my wife in good times and bad, in cold and in heat, in plenty and in want to insure that her needs are provided. If I must go hungry, I pledge that my wife will not. If I must suffer, I promise that my wife will not. To the best of my ability I commit myself to give my wife and family the vital necessities of life. I freely pledge to sacrifice myself for my wife and family.
To many people the possessions they have are very important to them. Whether be houses, cars, furniture, or money in the bank. These belongings can be very precious. Speaking the words “I do”, however, changes all of that. In that instant, half of all that is owned belongs to their partner. In some cases, people misunderstand. They think when they marry they just add another possession to the collection, but this never works. Marriage only works when each partner gives instead of taking.
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.
The bride says, “I will be a faithful companion to you. I will work alongside of you, walk with you, respect and honor you. Good times may come or calamity befall us, but I will always give you my life and my love.”
When you speak those two words, expect your life to transform. Everything can be new and exciting. The pledges made between husband and wife form the foundation for a life time of giving and love. You can enjoy many more wedding and marriage resources at Wedding How. Com or reference the resource box below.
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Tags: Dating, Family, home, I do, nuptials, wedding, wedding ceremony, wedding pledges, wedding vows, Weddings
