I once read about a women’s conference where the speaker asked the women, “How many of you love your husband?”  Every one raised their hands.  Then she asked, “When the last time was that they had told your husband that they loved him?”  Some responded, “this morning,” others – “last week,” and still others – couldn’t recall.  They were then asked to get out their cell phones and text their husbands right then, “I love you sweetheart.”  They were then instructed to exchange cell phones and read aloud the text responses.

A few of the replies were: “Who is this?”  “I love you too.”  “I don’t understand what you mean.”  “What now?  Did you crash the car again?”  “Am I dreaming?”  “I thought we agreed we would not drink during the day.”  “Your mother is coming to say, isn’t she?”

While the responses generated some laughter from the crowd, I think about what a sad commentary it is when someone responds with such confusion or negative assumptions.  Shouldn’t our expressions of love for our spouse be the norm as opposed to a rarity?

In this final “Foundation” I want to encourage you to Renew your relationship at every opportunity.  Renew it with expressions of love and affection.  Renew it with a loving text or phone call. Renew it with regular dates and special acknowledgments around anniversaries of such days as the day you began to date, your wedding day, or any occasion you can come up with.   I know of one couple that celebrate the day of their marriage every month.  They actively look for ways to regularly Renew.  Renewal can range from making love to reading the Word of God together.  But the point is – regularly Renew your relationship.

You may have a pretty good marriage.  But it is my hope and prayer that you will implement these Nine Foundations that we have examined in recent weeks and move from a good marriage to a great marriage!