I was talking with a music minister candidate who came to look at our church.  He lives eight hours away, and he chose to drive up with his wife.  He said of the experience, “You know, there are some advantages to driving.”  I said, “Like what?”  He said, “Well, I get to spend uninterrupted time with my wife.  I can be called on my cell phone, but other than that we ride down the road together, we hold hands, we talk, and there isn’t anything to interrupt us and nothing to divert our attention.” 

             I’ve found the same thing to be true of driving places with Patty.  It speaks not only of the joy of driving but also of the joy of a marriage built, while not perfectly, by God’s grace built well.  I hope that in your marriage you are developing an appreciation and an affection for each other.  Passion is a good thing, commitment is a good thing, and just flat out enjoying each other’s company is also a really good thing. 

             I’ve always thought it was significant that before God created the first city, state, or school, He created the first home.  He did not let Adam be in the garden long before He created a woman and joined them together.  I love the home.  I love my home.  I love marriage.  I love my marriage.  I pray that you are doing what it takes to develop your own marriage.  God is good.  He knows what He’s doing.  As we trust Him in our marriages, it develops us and creates a wonderful place for us.