How Did You Prepare Spiritually For Your Wedding?

Thanks to all who responded to our

of spiritual wedding preparation. Here are some of the ways our readers readied their inner selves for the big day.

When my husband and I got married 30 years ago, it was suggested to have premarital counseling, which we did. The pastor said, "Why do you want to get married?" My husband said that he likes the way I look. The pastor said, "Years from now, looks will change." I had read an inspirational article about true beauty, and how when we love others it transforms our face. So in preparation for our wedding, I thought about each person who was coming, and I said a prayer for them. This July 5, we will be celebrating 31 years of marriage.

--Christine and Carl

My husband and I have been married 38 yrs (will be 39 in November 2006). We spiritually prepared for our wedding by attending a series of classes offered by my church. We also met with our pastor who performed the ceremony. We found the classes especially helpful because they touched on everyday topics, like...how to deal with in-laws, children, work, finances, commitment, sexual feelings, and prayer life.

--Nancy Kenney

To relax from all the preparations and frayed nerves, my husband and I spent the evening before the wedding together talking and holding hands. It was technically against the rules, but it worked out well. We just talked and listened to soft jazz. I slept well and the next day was refreshed.
--Aviella

My husband Jerome and I took marriage classes both with our pastor and my brother, who is also a minister. We had classes once a week for a month. My brother lives in California, and we live in New York. So we had our classes with him over the phone. It was worth it, because we have now been married for 17 years and we are still as happy as we were the day we were married.

--Stephanie Starks-Hussey

My fiancé and I are to be married at the end of September. I pray daily of course, but as an offering of myself to God for His guidance, I will fast one day a week every week until the big day. It is a way of emptying myself out so that God can put the virtues He wants in there. The Bible says that a good wife is a true blessing, and my fiancé deserves that. I am (in my humble ideals) trying to become that for him, and to bless God with a God-fearing home.

--Natasha

Continued on page 2: How juggling became my spiritual exercise »