Ten years and counting...

It was ten years ago today that Nicole and I shared our first kiss.  From that day forward we've been together (married 8 1/2 years now).  We've already lasted beyond the average length of marriages in America today (somewhere around 7-8 years) and we have no intention of stopping.  The sad truth is that many in our society, and far too many of them are Christians, don't take their marriage vows seriously.  People stand before God, promise to love someone for the rest of their life, and then simply walk away when the grass is greener or they just don't feel "happy".  Forget for a moment the disaster this has been for children whose lives are torn apart (and who may never really trust anyone as a result), and simply marvel at the audacity of assuming that a promise made to another Christian (assuming Christians at least follow Paul's guidelines in this; I know many do not) in the house of God; standing before the altar, with a man of God giving witness; marvel that this promise isn't considered to be more important than one's own "happiness". {we don't need to debate whether divorced people are happier than married people, they are clearly not happier being "free"}
It is amazing to me that people can simply give up.  {I'm not talking about the two exceptions that I believe the Bible would sanction, the cheated upon spouse who MAY leave if they want, or the spouse who is abused}.  Most divorces in America today end for reasons of convenience; a horrible excuse if ever there was one.
Of all of the challenges facing the Church today, this may be the most dire.  If we don't promote marriage, encourage marriage, and support marriage (on an individual basis and the principles behind it), how can we possibly bear witness to the Gospel's power to change lives?  If Christianity in America is going to stand against moral relativism and offer true Hope for those who are lost, we MUST redeem the marriage in our own house and begin to once again take our vows seriously.
For Nicole and I the very idea of considering an end to our marriage is off limits.  Neither of us has ever threatened anything of the sort while mad, nor do we allow ourselves to wonder what life might be like apart; we're in this together, together for life.
It's been ten years since my wife and I first kissed, God willing, we'll be celbrating this day for many years to come.