August 13
Scripture: Hos 11:4
Source author: Deb Wuethrich
August 13
Ties of Love I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. —Hosea 11:4
After thirty-five years together, our marriage was on the rocks. Deeds had been done that could not be undone. Harsh and hurtful words had been exchanged. I was convinced there would be no path back from the hard road of experiences we’d left in the wake of our relationship. Separation was inevitable and I steeled myself for it. But God had other plans. One evening when I returned from work, there was a piece of white paper taped to the living room wall. It said, “I love you, I love you, I love you,” in diminishing fonts. Another sheet with the same words was taped to the bathroom mirror. A third hung on the wall over the bed. Soon, I answered a knock on the door. My husband met me there, dressed in his best suit, and said, “Let’s go out. Let’s start over.” The gesture was the beginning of a reconciliation that solidified our marriage, making it stronger than ever at fortyone years until my husband’s death some time later.
Through love, God paves the way to reconciliation. — Deb Wuethrich —