I love weddings! I love the excitement, the jitters, the awkwardness, the dancing, the cake, just the whole thing! The entire day is a beautiful experience but all the rigamarole and symbolism is meant to surround one thing; the covenant. Without the vows, the wedding ceremony is just a big party with a white dress. The vows are what create the reason for the celebration to follow!

As much as I enjoy weddings, I find something even more precious in vow renewal ceremonies. There is “history” to a vow renewal, there is a refreshment and reestablishment with what has already been spoken. I know the reason for the couple's vows are firmer and deeper than they were the first time around. Both ceremonies are precious because the weight of the words exchanged between spouses only grows once the honeymoon phase is over.

As I read the commitments and vows from the Israelites in Nehemiah, I wonder if “this time” it will stick. I wonder how many times they expect to renew their vow without God giving up on them. Will this finally be the last time they turn away? I suppose I see the relationship between God and man from a human perspective but that’s what makes God’s grace so beautiful to me! I rarely see it coming because it’s undeserved! In our relationship with God, we need not worry ourselves with the commitment of His love for us. He doesn’t give up, He doesn’t forsake and even when we rebel, he waits for us with open arms!