It’s easy to say, “I love you,” but if you truly love someone, especially when it comes to your spouse, you need to cherish them.

Think about your wedding vows.

I, (name), take you (name), to be my lawfully wedded (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

You can hear the echoes of the roller coaster ride of life in the vows. But how many of us take the time to really comprehend and embrace that which we said “I do” to?

Not many.

Let’s take a moment to draw deeper into what love looks like from the point of a sacrificial love.

Cherish is to protect and care for someone lovingly (Google).

It’s the way to hold your spouse in high regard.

The K.I.S.S. ~ Hold your spouse in high regard!

Cherishing someone is an exalted form of how you love them; the highest, noblest, strongest feeling one person can have for another.

But because life happens and monotonous activities get in the way, then it’s hard to stop and realize what you have every day.

Doing your responsibilities is one thing compared to living your responsibilities.

You must find harmony in loving deeper than when you were dating.

To love and to cherish.

And when you do that, you honor your spouse by knowing their value and holding them in high regard.

It’s about the great respect!!

When was the last time you drove your spouse crazy? Yes, pushing all of his/her buttons for whatever reason.

At times, it seems like a reasonable thing to do. You kind of poke fun.

But when was the last time you showed high regard for your spouse?

Not many can answer that question swiftly.

CHALLENGE: Take time to lift up your spouse and honor him/her. Recognize what he/she is contributing to the family, the community, to the world that he/she touches.

Life doesn’t have to be as complicated as we make it. Stay committed to deepening your relationship with your husband/wife.

Look for ways to serve and honor him/her.

Definitely poke fun, but make sure you balance it with sincerity and generosity.

“What you give from the heart can be felt for a lifetime.” ~ Kristianne Wargo

PRAYER: May your actions reflect what your heart desires to feel and then dig deeper. May the love God has for you be felt by your spouse. To love and to cherish — may God richly bless your commitment to each other.

“Be present. Be incredible. Be YOU!!!“