Several months ago my friends Leon and Mariel celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary by having a reception in our church basement. Along with refreshments and lively conversations, they decided to renew their marriage vows.

Our minister Tim said, among other things, that marriage is a covenant between two people "who trust each other". He contrasted that by saying a contract is between two people "who don't trust each other". In 45 years, Leon and Mariel's covenant is still in place. By renewing the vows, they were saying "nothing has changed".

God hasn't made any contracts with us. He only uses covenants. He trusts us! I haven't got a clue why!

He says that He loves us. He says that He will never leave us or forsake us. He says He will always take care of us. He says that we are so valuable that He knows the number of hairs on each person's head. And He says a whole lot of other stuff, too...........

Our part? He asks us to enter into a covenant relationship with Him. He wants us to trust Him and to believe Him and to believe what it is He tells us.

Dear Father in Heaven: Thank You so much for who You are and for caring for each one of us. We don't know why You have chosen to love us and to take care of us, but You have. Thanks for loving us and for trusting us. In return, we are placing of our trust, love, and hope in You. Forgive us, Father, because some time today something will probably happen that will make us feel like changing our minds. Help us to remember You. Help us to love You more. Help us to trust You more. In a world that sometimes feels like it is out of control, You are the only One, the only Thing, we can count on for forever. In Jesus' Name we say these things. Amen