2020 Marriage Challenge Day 29

Day 29 - Bonus Day

Day 29: Love Hopes

In a good number of wedding ceremonies I officiate, I end the service with a pastoral blessing, "I pray there is never a morning without hope, a day without love, or a night without forgiveness." Love hopes. It begins each day full of possibility and wonder. It is full of optimism of the good which could come. It overflows with confidence that we will be able to handle whatever comes our way. Love gives us an optimsim toward others. Because we love them, we not only cheer for them but we also believe in them. We know their potential and we believe that they can live up to that potential.Love is not naive. We don't foolishly assume everything is going to happen exactly as it should. But it is hopeful. We recognize each day as a gift and we assume much good will come in the day that is before us.When I stand before a bride and groom as they make big promises to one another, I know the life in front of them will be full of many ups and downs. But I also know that if they will love each other well, their lives will be good.What about you? What about this day? No matter how long it's been since you said "I do," how do you feel about today? Will you live out your vows in the hours that are before you? Do you believe that good will come as you love each other?Life is full of potential. Love can open many doors of possibility if you will consistently choose to put your marriage before yourself. Love hopes.     Application: Identify one thing from this past month that you learned and what to carry into the rest of the year. For more, see:Act, Don't Think, Your Way to a Better MarriageThere's More to Life than Marriage