In Sickness and In Health

Mostly no one gets married thinking about sickness. We take the vow of “In sickness and in health” but let’s be honest, almost no one is thinking about sickness. Oh sure, there might be an occasional cold or flu and maybe they’ll have bouts of allergy attacks but “sickness” real sickness, not likely.  Our hopes of “happily-ever-after” on our wedding day is what our thoughts are flooded with.

But the reality is hard days will come and sickness may come too.

At some point reality will hit and we will come to terms with that there will be days that aren’t so happy, putting a damper on all of our hopes and dreams. Some may even have to face “sickness.”

I think of my daughter, who dated her husband while he was undergoing chemotherapy treatments for cancer—she’d come under the “almost no one” category. She knew exactly what she was committing to on her wedding day. And they did have a “happily-ever-after” with two kids.

As I look back on my own marriage we’ve endured knee replacement surgeries, pneumonia, back struggles, salmonella poisoning, and most recently heart attack. (By the way, hubby is doing really well and recovering excellently.)

I think of the joke of a husband saying to his wife, “You’ve been with me through the car accidents, cancer, job losses, and stroke… You’re bad luck!” I find that funny, but the truth is a spouse who stays committed through the ups and the downs is a good partner and one you want to cherish and hold on to.

I will take care of you when you’re down. I will be by your side through the good and the bad. I will help you when you need a hand up and a smiling face to encourage you through a storm. I will drive you to the hospital in the middle of the night and nurse you back to health when you’re free to come home.

There’s almost nothing better than a husband or wife who declares…

I’m in this. I’m committed to whatever life throws at us, sickness, or health, I’m all in! Without a doubt isn’t this God’s will for us married people?

There’s nothing more rewarding than “doing” God’s will. In times of rough waters and illness I feel God’s hand so close and God’s gentle instruction to love in sickness and in health. To put another’s needs above my own and focus on nursing back to health. In those times I have felt God closest, and felt the assurance of doing God’s will. No question. In those times it’s been an honor.

So, at the end of “Do you vow to love and honor… until death” I do’s, the bottom line is a commitment to serve the other and love unconditionally. And the ultimate gift is—once you both can do this— is you’ll have a union that is nothing short of miraculous.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

– Ephesians 5:1-2

For more from Lucille Williams on marriage check out her books, From Me to We, and The Intimacy You Crave. Have kids? Order a copy of The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace or Turtle Finds His Talent for ages 2-6. Subscribe to LuSays today for weekly encouragement.