Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the sun does not appear…
I will be here.
Days of darkness…we’ve had our share. Job losses. Deaths of parents and loved ones. Cancer. Times when it seems like a dark cloud is hanging over us. Times we’ve wondered if the sun would come up in the morning. Through it all, we’ve been together. We’ve held on to one another, relied on one another, comforted one another, and reassured one another. Looking ahead, there are sure to be storm clouds on the horizon. It’s somewhat frightening, since we have no way of knowing what those storms will be. But I promise you today, as I did seventeen years ago, I will be here.
If in the dark we lose sight of love,
Hold my hand
and have no fear:
I will be here.
Times of stress, of fear, of doubt. We’ve had our fill of those, too. Financial struggles, endless to-do lists, pressures of work and family, the constant struggle to balance ministry and marriage and parenting. When our emotional wells run dry it’s easy to lose sight of “us”…to begin blaming…to fight and argue…to demand and expect and withhold. But in the end, we’ve always come back to one another, found ways to rekindle the flame of our love, been able to reconnect in our hearts and souls. Looking ahead, we still have a lifetime spread out before us, filled with years of work and ministry and family. But I promise you today, as I did seventeen years ago, I will be here.
I will be here when you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind, I will listen
And I will be here, when the laughter turns to crying
Through the winning, losing, and trying
I will be here.
Times of trial, of trying and failing, of striving and falling short. Times when each of us has felt defeated, lost, and unsure of ourselves and our abilities. We’re very different, you and I. But God brought us together because we fit each other so well. Your strengths complement my weaknesses, and I’d like to think I smooth out your rough edges. When I fall, you’re there to pick me up. When you fail, I’m still the one who cheers you on and encourages you to try again. We’re not perfect, but I believe we’re perfect together. Looking ahead, I know there are potholes in the road. There will be detours and wrong turns. And so I promise you today, as I did seventeen years ago, I will be here.
Tomorrow morning, if the sun comes up
and the future seems unclear
I will be here.
Times of uncertainty. Times of fear, doubt, and questions. Times when we’re not sure which way to turn, which direction to take, or how what we’re supposed to do. Sometimes it seems like God has been silent. We’ve felt alone, with no direction or guidance, fumbling our way along, hoping to stumble across the path God has chosen. But we’ve never truly been alone. God’s always been there, even when we haven’t seen or felt Him. And we’ve always had each other, to lean on, to talk to, to share the journey with. We’re still walking along this road of life as it stretches toward the horizon. Looking ahead, I can’t see where it all leads. There are hills and bumps and twists and turns, obscuring the road signs. So I promise you today, as I did seventeen years ago, I will be here.
Just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for these years
So I will be here.
Times of change. Changing jobs, changing responsibilities. New addresses, new homes. Different ministries, different churches. The only thing that stays the same is that nothing ever stays the same. In our years together, we’ve witnessed a lot of change. There have been changes in the world around us, but also in our own little world. We’ve had friends come into our lives for a season, only to leave abruptly. We’ve been engaged in activities and ministries that have energized and captivated us for a season…and then faded away as our interests waned and our focus changed. But through all the changes, I could always count on you as my constant companion. The one who would be by my side, holding my hand. The one who’s encouraged me to grow in areas I never expected. The one I’ve poured my heart into and watched blossom into an amazing husband and father. Looking ahead, I can’t see who we’ll become, or how the road ahead will change us. I know there will be seasons of plenty and of want, of harvest and planting, days when the winter winds will howl and days when the warm spring breezes will blow. And I promise you today, as I did seventeen years ago, I will be here.
I will be here
And you can cry on my shoulder.
When the mirror tells us we’re older, I will hold you.
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me…
I will be here.
Times of remembrance. Times to reflect and look back on where we’ve been. We’ve shed tears as we’ve laughed so hard we could hardly breathe. We’ve shed tears as we’ve experienced losses so deep they’ve torn at the very fabric of our souls. We’ve created memories that have interwoven our hearts so completely it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Our friendship has always been the basis of our relationship, and on that friendship and shared faith we have built something of beauty. We can speak without words, through just a touch or a simple look. Looking ahead, I can see the crow’s feet deepening, the grey hairs multiplying or simply falling out. The effects of gravity are inescapable. But still I promise you, as I did seventeen years ago, I will be here.
I will be true to the promise I have made
to you and to the One
who gave you to me.
Times of renewing. Times when I am reminded just how deeply I love you and how grateful I am that you love me, too. Times my heart is nearly bursting with pride to share your name and be called your wife. Times I am honored to call you my husband. But none of this would be possible without the One who brought us together. Through a divinely choreographed dance, God’s hand guided us along the twists and turns, the hills and the valleys, to that straight and narrow path to the altar. As I stood before our family and friends and even God Himself, I made you a solemn vow to love you, cherish you, honor you, and be faithful to you to the end of our days. Looking ahead, I can see us walking together along that road, hand in hand. Sometimes it’s a leisurely stroll, other times it’s more of a sprint. No matter what, I promise you, as I did seventeen years ago, I will be here.
Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the sun does not appear,
I will be here…
We’ll be together…
‘Cause I will be here.
Times of togetherness. Now and always. Looking ahead, it’s just the two of us. Living life in love together. No matter what, I promise you, as I did seventeen years ago, I will be here.
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