How often are we really tested on that vow?
We have been married for 36 years. We have each had a few illnesses but nothing life-threatening, nothing really serious.
Until two weeks ago. I had a sudden abdominal pain; the pain was so severe that I couldn't even straighten up. Ed and Jacque rushed me to the emergency room. They did emergency abdominal surgery at midnight.
During the next week, my husband only left my side when he knew our daughter or a friend was there to take care of me. He slept there, he skipped meals, he got up with me all night.
After a week, we came home ... he continued the routine. I have been recuperating at home for 10 days now. He brings me breakfast, my coffee, and the newspaper in bed. I could get used to this. He cooks for all of our meals, even asks for special requests. He shops, cleans, and does the laundery.
He does all of the giving. I do all of the receiving. What does he got out of the deal? Nothing, except the joy he gets from seeing me comforted.
What does he have to look forward to? At least two more weeks of serving selflessly, maybe longer. A few more weeks of continued giving without receiving anything but appreciation.
There will be an end to my convalescence, I hope. But what if there wasn't, what if I remained an invalid for the rest of our married life? Would he quit serving selflessly? I don't think so, it's not consistent his character.
Why does he serve selflessly? He loves me, yes. But he also gave his word ..... in sickness and in health. He keeps his word - to me and to God.
How much is our commitment tested in health? How much is our faithfulness tested in health?
For some men, the health of their wife is irrelevant to their own desire to get their needs met. They are unfaithful. Or they turn to work, to drinking, to separate leisure activities. Not to their Lord or to their wife. Their vow becomes trivial.
In sickness and in health. Unconditional, unending, unlimited. Just like God's love for us.
