Praise Monday – Love

What better way to look at a Monday and start a week than by praising our God?

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24

I know Praise Monday has focused on praise music to lift our hearts and minds to God. But, this Praise Monday I am changing it up a bit. This Praise Monday is all about love and commitment.

I have great reason today to give praise, honor and glory as well as my devotion and thanks to God. Nineteen years ago I made a commitment to God and my beautiful bride in the Sacrament of Marriage.

Before this day, I had gone through life not really knowing God nor His commitment to me. Many times over the years, I denied God’s very existence. But, God’s wisdom is beyond understanding and His persistence is not outdone. God put me on a path to Him when I was baptized, confirmed HIS commitment to me on my confirmation, He never stopped working to remove the blindness from my heart.

A year prior, God moved mountains by placing Connie in my life. The mountains surrounding me had kept the light from shining into my heart. Connie was a mountain mover. She opened my eyes to God by simply being herself. She lived her faith and trust in Jesus just because it was and remains who she is deep to the core of her very self.

God used my inner weaknesses and even sinful nature to move my heart. I started going to Mass just to be with her and I found Jesus. God moved in my soul over the following year so that when I stood with Connie at my side and said “I do”, those words were a commitment to both my bride and my God.

Twenty years together and she still gets to me and draws me closer to our God.

Through this committed Sacrament, we have both drawn closer to God and He to us than either of us have thought possible. We have endured struggle side by side and God has blessed us abundantly. He is truly the primary cord that holds and strengthens our marriage.

Today I give praise to God for what He has done for me, for us in our marriage. Today I give love to my bride at a level I’ve never conceived but understanding it has only scratched the surface of what God wants to share.

The future hold many blessings and I know that together we will multiply those graces.

Today, I ask all on The Road of Faith to look at those closest to you. See them in the light and vision of the Father’s eyes. Commit to being more to them in self-giving love. Seek nothing in return, give abundantly. As many times as your speak words of love, let your actions of love always be more numerous.

Trust God’s love for you. He will never cease trying to draw you closer to His side.

“Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7