My brother, David Howell Stith, and Mary Kathryn Turk were married on October 19, 1963. Years passed, life happened, until one day in the fall of 1989 they decided to go their separate ways. They divorced.
Ten years later Dave asked Kathy to marry him again. She said “Yes” again. And when they were married the second time he made with her a New Covenant.
* * *
More than 15 years passed before Dave became a stranger whose name Kathy did not know. She didn’t know him, but he knew her and loved her still. When she could not feed herself, he fed her. When she could no longer do anything for herself, he did everything for her.
Here is that vow Dave made the second time around.
“God’s word is replete with promises and covenants. One of the earliest ones that comes to mind is God’s covenant with Abraham and then more promises to Moses, Joshua and Sampson. Somewhere in the passage of time God made a new covenant with his people. It was almost as if He were saying “O. K., the old covenant didn’t work so I will make with you a new covenant.”
“In some similar manner I come this day to make with you a new covenant. I promise to love you but not only you. I promise to cherish you while at the same time cherishing other people and relationships. I promise to honor you while honoring all others who deserve it.”
“I also promise to love you the most, cherish you the best and honor you the highest.”
Kathy died of Alzheimer’s disease one year ago today.
Coming Monday: CAMPNEVERAGAIN