THE usual arguments, heated by constant repetition, flamed between husband and wife as I entered their home. The same petty criticisms, incessantly voiced, had now erupted into seemingly insurmountable differences. Plainly this marriage was moving swiftly toward the dismal rooms of the divorce courts. Nothing I had said or done on previous visits seemed to have brought any healing to the couple's open wounds. Finding a 30 chair, I silently prayed, "Lord, give me wisdom to deal with this problem; I need help now if this home is to be saved." Instantly, the familiar words of 1 Corinthians 13, "Charity never faileth," flashed into my thoughts. Was this the answer to my prayer?
"Mrs. Holladay," I said, interrupting their argument, "will you do something for me?" "Well," she said, turning from the attack on her husband, "I don't know. What is it?"
"Will you memorize 1 Corinthians 13?"
"Why?" she asked. "I don't know what that will accomplish. However, if you want, I'll try." Thankful for her consent, I turned quickly to her husband.
"Mr. Holladay, will you, with your wife, memorize this chapter?" His face screwed into a question mark, then straightened, as he consented. Their promise to study Corinthians 13 secured, I offered a short prayer and left.
One week later, I returned to their home. Both man and wife met me at the door. The warm appreciation and sincere Christian love they showed for each other on this occasion as contrasted with previous visits, spoke eloquently of their re stored marital relationship. With deep emotion and tears this couple spoke of their new-found happiness and of their thankfulness to God for the reconciling power of His Word.
As I left that home my heart was full and anew I acknowledged that "the creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the word of God. This word imparts power; it begets life. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God."—Education, p. 126.
