Does it Bother Anyone Else?

I’ve attended a lot of weddings in my life.  At each wedding, the bride and groom are asked, “Will you do this & that?” And they both answer, “I will.”  They are making promises to one another, before God and in front of witnesses.

Over the last 10 years or so, I’ve attended weddings that have included an additional element in the ceremony.  After the bride & groom make their promises, the gathered congregation of families and friends are asked to stand. They are asked, “Will you do whatever you can to support this marriage and help it to succeed?” and they all answer, “I will.”

When I’ve attended a wedding like that, I have not merely witnessed the promises made by others. I stood up and made that promise along with them — a commitment to help that marriage succeed. I made that promise before God and in the presence of other witnesses. This is a sacred thing to me – or I would not have made the promise in the first place.

SO – if that marriage starts to fail, I am compelled to go to the couple and help them, if they’ll permit it. I’ve even been involved in counseling some of these couples. But if they want no advice or help, at the very least, I will remind them of their promises. I have asked, “What are you doing?  Is there no hope for reconciliation? Have you forgotten your promises? Have you no fear of God?”

I’ve had a few get a bit angry with me over this. But my promise before God trumps my desire for them to be happy with me.

Does this bother anyone else? Where are the other witnesses, who stood with me and made that same commitment?