It Would Take a Miracle to Save Their Marrage

The following comes from my book, MORE Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals

After 16 years of marriage, Suzanne and Jim Shemwell were ready to call it quits. She confided with friends that it would take a miracle to save her marriage. They constantly argued and divorce seemed like the only option.

But then, on March 5, 2003, they were stranded in a blizzard on a snowmobile trip in Boise National Forest 7,000 feet above sea level. For the next 5 days and nights, they had to rely on each other for their very survival. Trapped on a freezing mountaintop, fighting frostbite and hunger, Jim and Suzanne stopped arguing and began cooperating. They had previously communicated with insults and hateful words, but their desperate situation in the woods made them focus on encouraging and comforting each other. They were finally rescued on March 10, 2003.

Ironically, their experience of being stranded together in the icy forest caused them to appreciate each other like never before. Instead of getting divorced, they decided to renew their wedding vows on March 10, 2004 in Boise National Forest.. Not only were their lives saved on March 10, 2003, but their marriage was also saved. They are still happily married in 2025.

Jim and Suzanne had lost something in their marriage, but then found it again. It reminds me of the parable Jesus told about a woman who lost something valuable in her home. She searched carefully until she found it, and then called friends to share the good news and rejoice (Luke 15:8-9). 

That parable can also apply to homes today. Many couples have lost something valuable and desperately need to find it. First, they must realize they’ve lost something precious. Then they must diligently search together until they find it, and then they will rejoice together. And if they can’t find it in the house, they might need to get lost together in a blizzard on a freezing mountaintop.  www.makinglifecount.net   www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com