The other day I was reading a website devoted to helping good marriages become stronger and restoring marriages on the brink of break-up. I appreciated much of their material — great advice for any and all seeking to give marital romance a good kick in the embers.  

Years ago I took a long hard look at marriage vows and realized that we are all in the same boat. All of us have weaknesses and tendencies to lapse into agonizingly bad places and habits. We all want to treat our mates with love, affection and a high degree of romance just like we committed to in our vows, yet life happens. Usually it happens in the form of children being birthed, followed by financial challenges and multiplied by mid-life issues. In time we don’t do and don’t act the way we wished we would.  We are all weak and have those moments where we are less than attractive romantically.  
 
At the website I was reading, they were encouraging, among other things, signing contract agreements with our mates and others. I am not seeking to be critical; if it works, do it. On the other hand, I chuckle. Have you listened to your wedding vows? They are a litany of strong and binding commitments.  

My point is, if wedding words won’t hold you, what hope is there that any additional words will? Glad you asked.  

This group I had read was boasting of a 95% success ratio.  I am happy; more power to them, sign even more up. However, here is another statistic. Marriages who pray and read their Bibles together daily have a 99% success ratio.  

Just thinking out loud, instead of making more commitments to each other (maybe the ones we made before God were plenty), we should commit our marriage to Him. Jesus is the real marriage sustainer.  

Bottom line, I have failed and I am going to fail again, but Christ has not failed and He seems to be unable to do so. Try keeping Jesus at the heart of your marriage and just watch how hot it can get! Pray every day together for each other and read your Bibles together. Anything short of bringing Him into the middle of your marriage is just not receiving everything from marriage God designed you to receive.