Emma promised “for better or for worse” on her wedding day, but when hard times came, it seemed impossible for her marriage to survive. Some around her advised divorce. But God spoke truth to her heart and helped her see her part in the crumbling of her marriage. She discovered she needed to let go of her demands to be loved in a prescribed way, and learn to love like Jesus—unconditionally. God helped her have compassion for her husband and see the sin in his life as the effects of traumas he suffered over the years.

The “love verses” in 1 Corinthians 13 guided Emma in how to love like the Lord. Over time, this caused her to love her husband more than she ever thought possible and brought healing to her heart and to her marriage. The trials in her marriage also created an intimacy with God, which she believes was unattainable any other way. Now she and her husband enjoy a marriage that’s better than it’s ever been and look forward to “the best is yet to come” as they soon celebrate 43 years of marriage.