RENEWED VOWS
From Honor Books'
"Through the Night with God"


The summer after leaving school, Ellen and Michael were married in their home church. Everyone said it was a match made in heaven.
They both obtained jobs in their small town and soon were able to buy a house. After a few years, a little girl was born, and a year later, a baby boy. By this time, Michael had received several promotions, and Ellen was able to leave work and stay home with the children. Their family and friends all thought they had the perfect marriage.
As they planned their tenth wedding anniversary party, everything seemed to be going as scheduled -- except Ellen and Michael didn't have much enthusiasm for the coming celebration. They felt as if they were having the party for everyone but themselves. For the last few years, Ellen and Michael slowly had been drifting apart. Michael was involved with his job and Ellen with the responsibilities of the children and their home.
For the last four years, the couple had neglected to spend any time alone and seldom talked about any subject other than the children. However, the basis for their marriage -- love and friendship -- still existed. Michael and Ellen had simply let the process of daily living interfere with their feelings for each other.
On a lovely Sunday morning, their pastor gave a heart-wrenching sermon through which he seemed to be speaking directly to the couple. They were reminded of their love for each other and of God's love for His children. On the way home, they couldn't stop talking. They made the decision to renew their wedding vows in church and rededicate their lives to one another.
If your marriage is foundering in a sea of neglect, and you've failed to show your spouse the love you genuinely feel, make the decision tonight to renew your love and friendship, and let your life with each other flourish.

"Remember that you and your wife are partners in receiving God's blessings...You should be like one big family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds." (1 Peter 3:7-8)