#1 ~ Unconditional!

First and foremost, I would like you to know that my prayer is that from reading all of these blog posts, you have been encouraged, inspired and uplifted. If you are getting married soon, be encouraged and know that GOD has a great work in store for you and your spouse! Know that HIS plan never fails and you are in his hands. If you are not married and have no idea where your Boaz or Ruth is, I encourage you to continue to stay committed to the work of the Lord. While you focus on HIM and give HIM your desires, he will give you the desires of your heart. Perhaps you don't fall in either of these categories because you are seriously courting or have found interest in someone, I encourage you to have them read each blog post and discuss it with them. Get an understanding of their thoughts and pray that the Lord would continue to reveal even more knowledge and wisdom about how to move forward. He will give you clarity, wisdom and direction on whether or not to move forward with the person and if so, when to do so. 

The most important nugget I feel that I MUST share with you is this: LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY! You must first understand how to love by knowing the author of love: JESUS CHRIST! He loves us so much that he was sent by GOD the Father to die for our sins, in spite of our rebellion and fear. He loves us and it's not based on condition or qualification. Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This means he sent CHRIST to die for us in spite of ourselves. We must learn to demonstrate this same love for our spouses. We can't love our spouses only if they do want WE want them to do. Neither can we only love our spouse when it's convenient for us to love them. This is not unconditional love beloved. We must learn to love like Christ loved us- WITHOUT CONDITION! 

However, this love does not come automatically and we are not born with this ability. GOD teaches us how to love like him when we seek him in how to do so. When you seek to be more like Christ, he will reveal himself to you. I find that the more time I spend in the presence of GOD, the more I want to  mirror his image, his ways, and his thoughts. Further, the more I spend time in the Word of GOD, the more I desire to carry out his will for my life and the instructions given.

My husband and I have been through hard times, down days, up moments and beyond. Yet, the constant theme throughout our entire marriage has been this: learning to love unconditionally! No matter what he says or does, I am committed to our marriage and our covenant. No matter how much my attitude or my bratty ways may get on his nerves, he is committed to me and our marriage. We are both in this journey wholeheartedly for the long haul because we realize that we took vows to GOD and to each other. Furthermore, we realize that our marriage is a symbol of CHRIST and his love for his bride- the church. Therefore, our commitment is not only to each other but to the kingdom of GOD. We are committed to our covenant because we realize that the success of marriage is the success of the upbuilding of the kingdom, while failure of marriage is a failure to the kingdom. 

On the good days, seize the moment and remember not to forsake those date nights....KEEP DATING! For as long as you live, you should desire to be a "student of your spouse." This means that you must forever desire to learn about them and learn how to better love them. Learn their love language and master it! Don't stop communicating. Keep a strong circle of encouraging, like-minded married couples around you. Submit your family, your finances, your dreams, and your plans to the Lord and he will direct your path. His desire is for you to prosper and not fail. 

Understand that your marriage is not just about you and your spouse. I know you looooooovvvvvee him sis and I know you loooooovvveeee her bro, but it's not solely about you two. Your marriage is intended to bring GOD glory, and the best way to do so is by learning to constantly love each other unconditionally. Love your spouse IN SPITE of them. Lift them up when they know they deserve to be reprimanded. Encourage them when you feel like saying "I told you so." Comfort them when you know they may have turned on the rain to their own storm. Love them when they aren't very lovable. THESE moments are the moments where GOD gets the glory because you are mirroring HIM and you are replicating HIS love, HIS grace and HIS compassion. Do it for his glory and be encouraged while doing so!

Nuggets to remember:

1) Christ loved us IN SPITE of ourselves. Yet, while we were sinners, he died for you and for me! What amazing love!

2) Christ loved us unconditionally and your marriage should exemplify this love in how you love your spouse. 

3) Stay committed to the covenant of marriage. You represent the kingdom of GOD: Christ as the bridegroom and the bride his church. 

4) Your marriage is intended for HIS glory so aim to mirror HIM in everything you do. With GOD on your side, you can't and won't lose. He has plans to prosper you! 

Be blessed!! More blog posts to come!!

~ CW