Image by Enoch111 from Pixabay

In today’s world, we struggle with making commitments. The Covid pandemic has taught us that even with the best intentions, we can’t always fulfil our responsibilities. Parenting is a lifetime love commitment that many of us make willingly. With God’s help we love our children, even when, they are the source of our disappointment and our pain. Our faith teaches us that God’s love is even stronger than a parent’s love for one’s children. Some of us make another life time commitment to a partner that we call marriage.

Katherine Bostrum, in her book,  “Finding Calm in the Chaos,” compares wedding vows to the vows that God makes with every human being from our very beginning. As individuals, we seldom think about our relationship with God in this way. Right there on the page were the traditional wedding vows with spaces, one for my name, then one for God. I smiled and thought, Why not?

First, I read as God speaking. I imagined God. For me, God is swirling loving light, right there, saying the words to me. In my heart, I felt the truth of that vow that God made at my creation. I heard once again that I am God’s precious child. The reminder felt wonderful.

Then it was my turn.  I put my name in the space. In my heart, I spoke of my love and commitment to God, I knew I had a long journey in faith to make. I know I am on the road. I want to be on that road. I will continue to strive to keep that love and commitment to God and to God’s people.

Somehow, that experience that morning has brought renewal and strength for my life. This is one recommitment I am willing to make, with God’s help. And so, for you below are the vows, adapted from Katherine’s words, written out for you to use. Give it a try. What have you got to lose? Open your heart, your mind, your imagination and repeat these vows of commitment. God is waiting and loving you no matter what you do. That I believe. May God bless your day with light and love. Amen

I, God, declare that ____________, is my beloved child.

I promise, and commit, before all the angels of heaven, to be your loving and faithful God

in joy and in sorrow, in plenty and want, in sickness and in health.

I will love you regardless of what happens or what you may do, or not do, or say or not say,

as long as you shall live on earth, and in your life to come.

I, ______________­­­­­­, declare that you, God, Creator of all life, are my loving and

faithful God.

I promise and commit before you and all of your creation to be your loving and faithful child,

in joy or in sorrow, in plenty and want, in sickness and in health.

I will love you regardless of what happens with me and my world,

as long as I live in this world and in my life to come with you.

“For God is love, and those who abide in love, abide in God, and God abides in them.” (1John 4:16?)