The race is teaching me so much about marriage. Taking a
look at the vows people take before entering marriage are very much like vows
we adhere to without even knowing it. When I was in college I had a preaching
lab class. We had to do a mock wedding to learn how to preach one. I searched
for less traditional vows to insert and the ones I found are so beautiful and
when I read them now, I see my life on the race drenched in these words. I know
that there will be days in my life and my [hopeful] future marriage, that I
will not want to fight for these things, that I will not want to let my life be
drenched in these words. But I will still be called to live them out even if I
don’t feel like it. So I modified the words to be relevant for me to read
daily, but this is what I feel like represents much of my race and my
fellowship with my beautiful WR community.
I, Amanda, take you, team Intimate Grace [or insert current team
name] to be my community, secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant
friend, my faithful partner in the nations, and give grace and love when I
don’t deserve it.
On this special day, I give to you in the presence
of God and these witnesses my sacred promise to stay by your side as your
faithful fellow racer in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well
as through good times and bad.
With this
friendship bracelet as a symbol of our unity I
promise to love you without reservation, honor and respect you, provide for
your needs as best I can, protect you from harm, comfort you in times of
distress, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you,
and cherish you for as long as God ties our friendship together, on the race
and beyond.
We get to love each other in season and out of season.
We can be frustrated with each other, voice it,
and then have to fall asleep in the same bed, tent or at
least under the same roof.
We get to cry with each other when things are hard.
We laugh with each other when things are funny.
We do ministry together on the daily.
We walk together.
We shop together.
We talk about the budget, and how we can save money.
We take care of each other when we are sick.
We pray for each other when it is rough.
We fight for each other’s hearts.
We encourage each other in our strengths and call each other
out on when we know we can do better.
We work out a bathroom schedule, chore chart, and internet
schedule.
We love children together.
We have “family fun nights”.
We love each other, even when it is hard.
Yes… the race is preparing me for marriage and for how to be
a better wife when that happens.
Dear future racers-get excited. =]
Much love,
-A
