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Key Bible Verses: The Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made … So guard yourself; remain loyal (Malachi 2: 14, 15). Bonus Reading: Malachi 2:13–16

A few years ago, my wife Jo observed me interacting with a woman in our neighborhood. We shared an interest in writing, so we naturally talked about it whenever our paths crossed. One day, while Jo and I were walking, she said, "Al, I need to say something. I've prayed about it and I don't want you to get angry. Please hear me out." She then told me how this woman was attracted to me, and how I encouraged it by sitting next to her instead of Jo on a number of social occasions. "It hurts me when you do this." She referred to a recent neighborhood gathering where there were some new faces. "They probably thought this woman, rather than me, was your wife."

I knew I felt no attraction to this woman, but if I had, that would have been all the more reason to heed my wife's words. Although Jo is generally secure, she saw something about this woman's feelings that I didn't. If she detected a threat to our marriage, I'd do whatever it took to make us both feel safe. Jo had every right to appeal to me, based on our covenant and our decision to keep a tight hedge of protection around our marriage.

—Al Janssen in The Marriage Masterpiece

My Response: I'll discuss with my wife how we can erect a hedge around our marriage.

Thought to Apply: Marriage is like a trip in a rowboat: if one starts to rock the boat, the other has to steady it; otherwise both will go to the bottom. —David R. Reuben

Adapted from The Marriage Masterpiece (Tyndale, 2001) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, give me fierce determination to protect my marriage—and tender love to makes it a joy.

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