We are taking part in a monthly blogging challenge. Many of you may be visiting here for the first time, and to you we say, “Welcome!”
A little about us.
We are Tom and Debi Walter and we live in Orlando, FL. We have been married for 40 years and have three married children. Our son and his wife live in Tennessee with their four children and two cats. Our daughter and her husband live in Georgia with their four children and a puppy. Our youngest daughter and her husband live in Arkansas where they are building their life together after one year of marriage. We are involved in the building up and equipping of marriages in our local church, which has been a lifelong passion for us. What we know and share we were taught by those who faithfully invested in our marriage when we were young and just starting out. We are grateful for their willingness to speak wisdom and truth to us during some very difficult years. This is why we do what we do, because of what others have faithfully done for us. It’s a giving back of sorts.
The goal of our blog since its inception in 2008, is to see marriages not only last, but thrive for a lifetime. This is a benefit not only for us, but also for our children. Our culture is waning in its commitment to helping marriages stay the course. Easy, “no-fault” divorces are the norm and even encouraged. Sadly, this is true even in the church. All under the pursuit of “being happy”.
Our cultural mindset has shifted from lifelong commitment to lifelong happiness.
If the marriage is no longer making me happy, then the marriage is at fault and must be terminated. This breaks our heart because it isn’t true. Oftentimes, when we aren’t happy in our marriage it is because God is after something that needs to change in our heart. Once we see it, confess it, and repent of it, we discover a sweetness in our marriage that wasn’t there prior to the conflict. So many couples endure through the worse parts and quit before finding the sweetness. It is tragic!
We have been involved in some sort of marriage ministry for our entire marriage. We love seeing relationships grow and change. And when a couple begins to value their marriage above all other earthly relationships it brings God great glory. He loves when our marriage reflect His love for the church. It is intended to be a living testament to a watching world.
Thank you for visiting. We will be posting everyday this month. If you are married, engaged or hope to be one day, we invite you to sign up for our posts via email located in the right sidebar. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. It is there where have a growing community on of likeminded couples who want the very best for their relationship. It starts with the husband and wife making it a priority in their daily schedule to pursue each other. They must choose to be intentional about loving and cherishing each other in ways that are meaningful to their spouse.
Are you up for the challenge?
This is our 2nd post in the Ultimate Blog Challenge to post everyday in April.
The Romantic Vineyard 
I hope I am up for the challenge,
but mine is just to survive
and pray there is not too much damage
that prevents my remaining alive.
These are not the days to get closer;
these are not the times for pursuit.
Now comes the time for the sober
dismissal of yearnings of youth.
She’s got to go on without me
and make a new life, finding joy
that cannot be chained to memory,
for look-back can only destroy.
Some days letting go’s more than I can afford,
but she must go on ahead, hand-in-hand with the Lord.
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I love your perspective! I especially loved the part about not assuming that the marriage is at fault when it isn’t going well, because God may be up to something with one of the spouses that would change everything. I’m so glad you are doing this work.
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Thank you, Jeanine. It is definitely a call we both feel from the Lord. That’s what keeps us going. Challenges like this help too.
Blessings,
Debi
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Nobody wants to commit to anything anymore, especially to marriage, if it doesn’t work people fold it instead of working it out. I have always been up to the challenge, any challenge, I have done it and came out successful.
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Valentina,
Sadly you’re right. Many are foregoing marriage altogether. This is why those of us who are have a responsibility to give a positive example. It is worth it, but it’s not easy. Nothing worth doing ever is!
Thanks for joining the conversation.
Blessings,
Debi
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Debi,
I guess, I am one of those setting a positive example and I am happy to be part of the few that work things out. 😀Have a great day.
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Wonderful! We need more couples like you!!
❤️
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Looking forward to this challenge again! I’ve first joined in January 2016 and have completed each challenge since them! When I start something, I have the drive to finish it! Congrats on your 40 years of marriage! Hubby and I will be celebrating our 52nd wedding anniversary this July and I say we are still on our honeymoon. Looking forward to the rest of your blogs throughout the challenge month.
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Martha, 52 years!! Congratulations! Grateful for your comment and I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone this go around.
Blessings,
Debi
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Loved that distinction between lifelong commitment and lifelong happiness. The trick is to coincide the two.
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Ah yes! And encouraging couples that both are necessary for a lasting marriage. The commitment supports when the feelings wane. It’s always good to hear from you, Roy.
Blessings,
Debi
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Excellent as always, Debi.
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very positive to both of you. I loved the pictures and they show a beautiful and pristine area. I have been divorced twice and maybe I could have used you in the past. from dakotadougswriting.com
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