Let Me Be A Woman CHOICES MARRIAGE / Elisabeth Elliot / Mothers Day Series

Let Me Be A Woman by Elisabeth Elliot

Chapter 21:  A Choice is a Limitation

I have prayed for my sons' future spouses since  they were born.  Not every single day, but often throughout the year and as a Scripture or chat or idea prompts me.  Elisabeth also prayed for her daughter:  Keep her from and for the man she is to marry.    She explains  the tradition in medieval weddings where a gold wedding ring was placed on the bride's thumb (In the name of the Father), then moved to the index finger (in the name of the Son), then to the third finger (in the name of the Holy Spirit) and then to the 4th/ring finger (Amen) which is  our  custom today.   We marry in the sight of God and witnesses.

Another item she touches on in this chapter is the wedding vows.  Most of us know the traditional vows...to love, honor and cherish, as long as you both shall live... Sometimes in more "modern" weddings we hear them rewritten to as long as you both shall love.  I totally agree with Elisabeth that changing this one word, cuts the heart out of the deepest meaning of the wedding.  Love does not preserve the marriage, the marriage preserves love.  

Every choice has limitations.  If you choose to  have a homemade salad for lunch, you give up eating a meal out (and save $$).  If you choose to attend a college close to home, you give up living in an unfamiliar city (also saving $$, avoiding loneliness, getting in with the wrong sorts of friends, etc.). If you choose a military life, you must adapt yourself to constant travel, danger, separations, roots, etc.   If you choose one man/woman over another you CHOOSE to give up all other men/women.  To accept limitations requires maturity.  None of us can have everything and we need to be content with whom we have.