All relationships face stress, and marriages are no different; when stress is overcome, it can become a source of pride.  I remember teaching Paulette to drive a stick shift, on which both of us (now) fondly look back.  Another time I came home and found several wallpaper sample books lying on the kitchen counter.  My stomach did flip-flops as I thought about the joint wallpapering efforts of the past.  If you haven’t jointly wallpapered, think about holding the flashlight while your partner is working under the sink.  When she came in, I only said one thing, “Divorce is expensive.”  She laughed and said, “Don’t worry.  They’re for a craft project.”  I recently heard a similar story about a woman who said that her husband had asked her for a divorce.  She eventually admitted that what he actually said was, “Let’s rent an RV and take the kids for a summerlong tour of the country.”  Once during an interview Ruth Graham, the wife of evangelist Billy Graham, was asked if there ever was stress in her marriage.  She admitted that on occasion there was.  She was then asked if she had ever contemplated divorce.  Ruth answered, “Divorce, no.  Murder, yes.”

            Other people’s stories have helped me and Paulette in these difficult times.   One man wrote, “These unusual times have validated that my wife is amazing!  What a blessing in our retirement years.”  A woman said, “My husband is a very good, loving man.  But thank God for separate TV rooms.”  Another man said, “My wife has been my best friend since our first date.  Isolating with her reminded me how much I love her.”  To me the most touching story was that of Betty and Curtis Tarpley.  After 53 years of marriage they died from COVID-19 within minutes of each other, while holding hands!  Aides had wheeled their beds side-by-side, and they joined hands on their own.  I’m reading Ron Chernow’s biography of U. S. Grant, and the Tarpley story brought to mind the strong marriage of Grant and his wife Julia.  Even late in life they would shock people by holding hands.  In public!

            In all our relationships with family, friends, and spouses we should mirror God’s love for us.  Most weddings (well, maybe not Baptist ones) include a reading of John 2:1-11, which describes Christ’s first miracle, turning water into wine at the marriage at Cana.  This scripture is about much more than marriage; it describes God’s covenantal love for us.  Jesus is the best wine that is served last.  Could there be a better model?

            Please read John 2:1-11 and remember:  God loves YOU unconditionally.

Jim