Weight of Our Words 

“To have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.” I vividly remember standing at the altar professing these words to my husband and receiving them as our marriage blessing. Do you remember the vows you said on that special day? 

Isn’t it interesting that we began marriage with words of blessing? So, have you taken the time to assess how the years have gone? There is a reason Proverbs 18:21 (CSB) says, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” How is it that our words can create beautiful gardens and lavish spaces but at the same time—if we’re not careful—they can easily become the desert lands where life ceases to exist because of the harsh conditions? If we don’t stop to look at the terrain, we fail to see the impact of our words.

Maybe, like me, you’re guilty of “word confetti”—where you just say it like it is— the good, the bad, and the ugly. Have you ever stopped to look at your spouse in those moments? Often times I can sense my husband’s look of confusion that says, “You lost me 5,000 words ago.” Can you relate?

Our words can be very heavy, and it’s important that we weigh what comes out of our mouths to make the bitter better so we can become quick to listen and slow to speak. Let me tell you from experience that this takes a lot of practice. It’s a spiritual discipline that requires actively asking the Spirit to go before you so you can use your words for good. 

Have you forgotten how to speak words of life over one another? Has it been too long or did you get too busy? Stop reading right now and pull out your cell phone. Just take a minute to send a message that says something like, “I love you because you’re mine!” or “You are the better part of me” or “I’m sorry, but I need you!” Or better yet, check out Hallmark.com to find something that fits your personality. The only way to start something new is just to do it—don’t overthink it! Listen, Proverbs 16:24 (NIRV) says, “Kind words are like honey. They are sweet to the spirit and bring healing to the body.” Let your words flow like honey and penetrate any cracks and coat its surface with its healing nature. 

Maybe you’re doing just fine and you have a “word thumb” and your garden looks great. Keep it up because great spaces require care and maintenance. Continue to build your spouse with your words—you are fortifying and strengthening them.

Regardless of what you’ve done with your words in the past, today is a new day to start afresh. You hold the heart of your spouse in your hands, so be careful and gentle. The words you give one another are blessings that pass on to the next generation. Our words go deep and wide and echo over a lifetime in each of our spouses. A bold word can awaken a sleeping heart. A beautiful word from your spouse can erase childhood hurts. An unexpected word of encouragement can be a gift that is cherished because of its sweet timing.

To have and to hold from this day forward, I give you my word! 

Date Night Ideas for August

Challenge 1: Taste and See
Be adventurous with your food choices and try out some new dishes and flavors! If you have not tried a certain type of cuisine before, be bold and experiment together with your spouse and see if you can find a new favorite

Challenge 2: Map It Out
Plan a mini road trip and spend your next day off exploring with your favorite travel buddy. Listen to music you both love, play a few road games, and make some great memories as you visit old and new places together.

Challenge 3: Rise and Shine
Wake up early, head to the beach or your favorite spot with a blanket and coffee, and watch the sunrise together. What a great way to start your day! 

Did you take advantage of one of these ideas? We want to hear from you! Share your dates on social media by using the hashtag #SoFloDateNight and tagging @CCFLCouples. You can also e-mail MarriedCouples@CalvaryFTL.org about your date night story! 

Do you want to hear about upcoming events and news from Calvary Couples? Make sure you opt in to receive text messages from us! We want to stay connected with you, so you don’t miss any opportunities for you and your spouse! To sign up, simply text “MARRIAGE” to 91868.