I'd hazard a guess that in the lead up to their big day, recently engaged couples are on the receiving end of the words "congratulations" and "so happy for you both" more times than any other phrases used by well-wishers. I'm guilty of saying them multiple times, sometimes without any additional comments in response to all manner of good news, and I can't help but think that despite my genuine desire to share my joy, it's likely that it was lost among the deluge of identical reactions.
No matter how much sincerity you apply to those words when you say them to the husband and wife-to-be, or write them in their cards, on their gift tags, or underneath their engagement Facebook posts, they lose much of their intended impact because they are, let's face it, so ordinary.
In contrast, regardless of the amount of times you say or hear God's word, it's power to touch the heart is never diminished. So instead of sticking with the ordinary, unanimated and overused phrases, seek out some extraordinary Scripture that better expresses how you really feel.
The news that people you care about are planning to enter a holy union and spend the rest of their lives together in marriage is so often met with an uninspiring "congrats" so why not get creative and opt for a Bible verse to capture your hopes and happiness for the couple?
Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Romans 12:9-10 - Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.
1 Chronicles 16:34 - Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
Psalms 126:3 - The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Ephesians 5:1-2 - Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Isaiah 62:5 - As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
Matthew 19:6 - So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.
Proverbs 18:22 - He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favour from the Lord.
1 Corinthians 13:6-8 - Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
