“All you have is your word.” I remember hearing that growing up as a child. My father, in particular, was a stickler about keeping his word. He wouldn’t let his children quit or break their commitments, not even for illness. If we gave our word, then we had to keep it.
That childhood lesson is helping me in more ways than one as an adult.
It all begins with God’s word being bond to me. I stand on his word and know that “he is not a man that he should lie” (Num 23:19). That’s the foundation on which I live. As a word-girl, I’m a steadfast believer in the power and promises in God’s word. Without it, I don’t know where I would be.
That leads me to my word, specifically to the word I spoke at the marriage altar. Standing in front of friends, loved-ones, and God, I opened my mouth and proclaimed that I would be a Godly-wife. I said I would love and honor my husband, that I would respect him. I promised to walk with him in good times and in bad times, in sickness and in health, until death parts us. Those were my words. Nobody pressured or paid me to say them. I chose to open my mouth and vow before the Lord and my community to be a wife of virtue and integrity. Even though I fall short at times, even though I still have room to grow, one thing is for sure: my word is bond.
When your word is bond, you will sacrifice and compromise to keep your word.
When your word is bond, you will humble yourself and ask for forgiveness when you break your word.
When your word is bond, you will seek the help you need to live the words you speak.
When your word is bond, you will denounce the words of others that try to discourage you.
When your word is bond, you will protect your vow and your union.
When your word is bond, you will take self-inventory to see how you need to change to make the relationship better.
When your word is bond, you won’t make threats of leaving or spew nasty, vile words to your spouse.
When your word is bond, you take responsibility for the words you speak on a daily basis.
This isn’t something you learn after getting married; it’s something you should learn as a child. Keep your word. Do the very best you can, without risking your life or compromising your dignity, to keep your word. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, because I know personally that it’s not. However, even when life gets hard and troubles come your way, the truth of your word will never fail.
One of the best compliments my husband can say about me is that my word is bond. I’m going to do what I say I’ll do, and if I can’t do it, then I am going to speak to him beforehand so he continues to trust and believe in me as a woman of God’s word and a woman of my word.
BMWK — What were you taught about the importance of your word?