First – I need to say thank you to Debi & Tom Walter – the hearts behind The Romantic Vineyard blog.  We spent a lovely evening together visiting with each other in August.  This book is one of their favorites and they so kindly sent us home with a copy.  I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to talk about it.

As you can see from the front cover picture, it’s a soft color and feeling.  Inside, however, are solid challenges to make commitments in your marriage.  No fluff included in this book – just insightful truths.

For a number of weeks, Debi posted quotes on The Romantic Vineyard facebook fanpage from this book.  I don’t know how she picked one phrase over another…  I was constantly nodding my head and muttering, “yes.”  “ah-uh”  “right” “well really” and “for sure”.

Paul David Tripp, the author, divides the book into 6 commitments:

  1. We will give ourselves to a regular lifestyle of confession & forgiveness.
  2. We will make growth & change our daily agenda.
  3. We will work together to build a sturdy bond of trust.
  4. We will commit to building a relationship of love.
  5. We will deal with our differences with appreciation & grace.
  6. We will work to protect our marriage.

I can’t do the book justice in a few words.  It’s impossible.  The author uses real couples to highlight marriage issues – and with a kind and gentle insight, he draws a picture of what could be.  He uses soft words to call the reader back to the love of God.

Here’s a little sip from near the end of the book:

Grace gives your marriage a lifetime warranty.  What this means is that God will give you everything you need to be what you are supposed to be and do what he has called you to do in your marriage.  But you must do it.  His grace enables, reconciles, restores, and repairs.  His grace teaches you and changes you.  His grace…

Soft words – words of truth that just seep into your mind and soul.  I’m going to need to revisit this book.  Often. 

Give your marriage relationship a gift – buy this book.  Read it.  Ponder over it.  Digest it. 

Even if you’re not in crisis – even if you believe you’re doing just fine… maybe even good…  isn’t this the right time to cultivate your marriage so you can reap an awesome harvest?  It’s always a good time to sow.