“I Do”

Anne and Thomas Graves

“I DO”

Do you think the same thing I do when you hear these two words together?

Holy matrimony, right?

“Until death do us part. “

When I said that to Anne almost 32 years ago...I meant it...and I still do.

I DO!!!

In good times, *and* in bad times...

Many people who know us would say our “I do” yielded a great marriage.

From my perspective, she’s the girl of my dreams...our marriage exceeds my greatest expectations!

Anne is the love of my life, my best friend, and the person I run to when I need advice.

And that is when a (far) more important “I do” saves love.
The other “I do” is our answer to Jesus.
When we are in trouble, we can call out to Him - like the two blind men who followed Jesus calling out

But I also need to be honest.

Even a “good” marriage has some awfully “hard times.”

Even two people in love, who are committed to each other, can sometimes find themselves in trouble.

We did.

And that is when a (far) more important “I do” saves love.

The other “I do” is our answer to Jesus.

When we are in trouble, we can call out to Him - like the two blind men who followed Jesus calling out,

“Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Jesus asked them,

 “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

Yes, as a matter of fact, I DO!!!

I do believe Jesus can heal the blind and that He can heal broken relationships.

If we repent and ask Him - I do believe He can - because I’ve experienced it, and I have witnessed it countless times with others.

Anne and I have placed Jesus at the center of our marriage.

That is the single GREATEST marriage advice we can give.

The more we do this, the more love, joy, and peace we share.

Jesus said,
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you,"

As Anne and I sought Jesus “first” a (much) happier marriage was “added” unto us.

We learned that praying together helped grow our love, helped us to forgive (even if we didn’t FEEL like it at the time).

Studies show that couples who pray together daily get divorced rarely - something like less than 1 in 3000 marriages (wow)!

And let me tell you, when I am stressed, sad, or disappointed (for example, with the aggravation of computers in modern family practices) - when Anne prays over me....it’s healing...and I feel *loved* by my wife.

Anne and I have placed Jesus at the center of our marriage.That is the single GREATEST marriage advice we can give.The more we do this, the more love, joy, and peace we share.

My prayer for you today?

That you would think of the MOST important person or the most important people in your life.

And pray for them...

Say, “I do” to Jesus.

Ask Him to bless your relationships.

Ask Him to help you love more, forgive more, and understand more.

If the other person will pray *with* you, that’s better still.

Give Jesus a chance.

He loves you!

And the ONE prayer Jesus prayed the night before He died was that you and your loved one(s) would be as close as He and Our Father are close.

I pray you and the one(s) you love become that close!

Please....say, “I do!”