Pastor Josh Martin, our WELS chaplain to the military in Europe, conducted a marriage retreat Germany. A small hotel conference room welcomed four different couples each of two Saturdays. Not only did the couples grow closer to each other but they also grew closer to the other couples. Relationships were made and existing ones were strengthened. Of course, at the center of all of it was the Word of God; that was what the weekend was about! It was time to reflect on what God says about marriage, to be led to repentance for all of our failures as spouses, to be comforted by the sweet news of forgiveness through faith in Jesus, and to be enabled by him to be better at what he has given us to do in our marriages.

Newlyweds Dave and Le Andrus reflect on what they gained from a marriage retreat:

As newlyweds, one would think there isn’t much counseling that needs to be given to a couple that was just married two months ago. The joys of wedded bliss, as great as they are, they’re not immune to daily life stresses and our sinful world. There will be many times our marriage will be put through the test. But what we learned at our first WELS marriage retreat is that God’s Word holds the answers when difficult times arise.

We were very fortunate to have a good mix of married couples at our retreat. We had seasoned couples who’d been married for 20 and even 30 years. Many funny stories and difficult experiences were shared throughout the day.

The retreat was divided into several parts that used scripture to remind us of how blessed the covenant of marriage is. It provided a great opportunity for all of us to review those areas of scripture that relate to God’s design and instructions for developing a complete marriage.

From Genesis to 1 Corinthians, we covered scripture that explains God’s expectations of the role he wants each of us to take as husbands and wives. We covered God’s instructions on how we should love one another. There were exercises that helped us to define each partner’s needs and priorities. These exercises not only reminded each couple of the importance of communicating with one another, but that we frequently need to review these needs and priorities because they will change and shift throughout our marriage. The institution of marriage is one of God’s richest blessings. It is a gift He gives to us and one that continually needs to be nourished and appreciated.

We found comfort knowing that we have the wisdom and knowledge of our pastor to turn to in moments of difficulties, both personally or in our marriage. We also have the wisdom, love, and support of our brothers and sisters in the faith whose marriages have endured rough patches. Last, we must turn to the words of our Lord and Savior for help when our marriage seems vulnerable.

Although we live in a world where divorce rates are high, what separates Christian marriages from all others is that we love God first above all things. And it is this love for our Lord that will help give us the strength to appreciate all the good times and endure the difficult times. Even though the intensity of our love for one another may change, we are comforted that God’s love for us never changes. So no matter how short or long you’ve been married, a Christian marriage needs to be Christ-centered, and the glue which holds all marriages together is commitment.