Monique and Archibald: When God Rewrites a Broken Couple's Story

It was 11:47 PM. Monique stared at their bedroom ceiling, eyes wide open. Next to her, Archibald slept, back turned as every night for three years.

They'd been married twelve years. But they no longer lived together. They cohabited.

That night, Monique prayed for first time in two years:"Lord, if You don't do something, this marriage is over."

She didn't know this prayer would change everything.

The Dead Marriage

How They Got There

Monique and Archibald had married at 25, full of dreams and promises. The first five years had been beautiful. Then life arrived.

Two children. Professional promotions. Moves. Routine.

Gradually, without realizing it, they had stopped really talking. Conversations had become purely logistical.

"Did you pay the electricity bill?" "It's your turn to drive kids to school." "We're out of milk."

Never "how are you really?" Never "I'm thinking of you." Never "I miss you".

Signs of Slow Death

Ecclesiastes 4:11- "Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?"

They slept in same bed.But Monique was colder than ever.

The signs were there, obvious to anyone watching:

No more physical contact (not even holding hands)
No more laughing together (everything had become serious, mechanical)
No more common projects (each lived parallel lives)
No more praying together (they'd stopped after first year)
No more physical intimacy (six months without really touching)

Proverbs 13:12- "Hope deferred makes the heart sick."

Monique's heart was sick.So was Archibald's, but he didn't want to admit it.

The Breaking Point

One January evening, during dinner with children, their 9-year-old daughter asked the question that exploded everything:

"Why don't Mom and Dad ever kiss like Sarah's parents?"

The silence that followed this question lasted what seemed like eternity.

Archibald looked at his plate. Monique felt tears rising.Their daughter had just said aloud what they'd refused to acknowledge for three years.

Their marriage was dead. And their children saw it.

That evening, after putting children to bed, they sat at kitchen table.For first real conversation in three years.

"I'm not happy, Archibald." Monique's words broke the silence. "I don't even know if I still love you."

Archibald looked up, surprised by his own pain hearing these words. "Me neither. I don't feel anything anymore."

They could have decided to divorce that evening. Many would have.

But something held them back.A small voice deep inside them. A remnant of almost extinguished faith.

"We try one more time?" Archibald's question was barely a whisper. "Six months. We give God six months to do a miracle."

Monique nodded, skeptical.But she agreed.

The Beginning of New Start

The Decision That Changes Everything

Lamentations 3:22-23- "Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

Next morning, Sunday, they did something they hadn't done in two years:they went to church. Together. With children.

The pastor preached on Ezekiel 37. The valley of dry bones.How God gives life back to what is dead.

"Son of man, can these bones live?" God asks the prophet.

Monique felt something move in her heart."Can our marriage live?"

At end of service, they went to see pastor. They told everything. The distance. The coldness.The emptiness.

Pastor didn't judge them. He simply said:"God doesn't just restore. He recreates."

Then he proposed something:"For six months, you'll do three things. Every day. Without exception."

The Three Commitments

1. Pray together 5 minutes each morning

Matthew 18:19- "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven."

"I don't know how to pray with him," Monique protested. "We only argue when we talk."

"Exactly," replied pastor."When you pray together, you don't talk to each other. You talk to God together."

2. Say one positive thing each day

Proverbs 16:24- "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones."

"One positive thing? But I only see negative now," Archibald admitted.

"Then search," said pastor."Search until you find. Even if it's small."

3. 15 minutes together each evening, no phone, no television

Amos 3:3- "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?"

"To say what? We have nothing to say anymore."

"Then start with silence. But silence together.Not silence each in your corner."

Monique and Archibald went home that day with a plan.And very little hope.

But they had decided to try.Six months. Then they'd see.

The Difficult First Steps

Week 1-4: The Awkwardness

First two weeks were hardest of their lives.

Pray together?Archibald didn't know what to say. Monique often cried. Words wouldn't come.

But they sat side by side each morning, before children woke.5 minutes. Hand in hand.

At first, just silences. Then awkward prayers."Lord, help us. We don't know how to do this."

Philippians 4:6- "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."

Say one positive thing?It was forced. Artificial.

"Thanks for taking out trash." "Thanks for getting groceries."

Soulless thanks. But it was a start.

15 minutes together in evening?They sat on couch, stiff, awkward. Staring at wall.Not knowing what to say.

Archibald finally broke silence one evening: "It's weird not knowing what to say to you after twelve years of marriage."

Monique laughed.For first time in months, she laughed.

"Yes. It's pathetic." And they laughed together.Not long. But they laughed.

It was first sign of life in their valley of dry bones.

Week 5-8: The Thaw

Something began to change around fifth week.

Prayers became more natural.They started praying for each other, not just for couple.

"Lord, help Archibald in this important presentation at work." "Lord, give Monique patience with children."

They were starting to see other as person again. Not just as frustrating roommate.

Thanks became more sincere.

"I appreciate you took time to listen to me this morning." "Thanks for being patient with me last night."

The 15 evening minutes became conversations.

First about children. Then about their day.Then, gradually, about themselves.

"What do you miss most in our marriage?" Monique's question one evening surprised Archibald.

He thought for long time."You. I miss you. The Monique I married."

"She's still here," Monique murmured."She just forgot how to be a woman. She became just a mom and employee."

Song of Songs 2:14- "O my dove, in the clefts of the rock... Let me see your face, let me hear your voice."

That evening, for first time in years,they really looked at each other. Really saw each other.

Week 9-12: The Rebirth

At three months, something extraordinary happened.

One Saturday morning, Monique woke up and realized she was looking forward to praying with Archibald.She no longer dreaded it. She anticipated it.

That morning, after prayer, Archibald didn't immediately release her hand as usual.He stayed, holding her hand, looking at her.

"I think I'm starting to love you again," he said softly."Not like before. Differently. More deeply."

Monique felt tears flow.But these were different tears this time. Not sadness. Relief.

1 Corinthians 13:8- "Love never fails."

Their love wasn't dead. It was just deeply asleep. And God had awakened it.

The Complete Transformation

Month 4-6: Consolidation

Next three months were period of intentional rebuilding.

They added weekly date night.Nothing extravagant. Sometimes just walk after dinner.But together. Intentionally together.

They started touching again.Small gestures at first. Hand on back passing by. Kiss on cheek in morning.Then gradually, physical intimacy returned.

Proverbs 5:18- "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth."

Archibald relearned to see Monique as his wife.Not just as mother of his children.

Monique relearned to trust Archibald.To open up. To be vulnerable.

They created new family traditions.

Friday evening, after putting children to bed: sacred couple time. Sunday morning: family prayer.A new identity was building.

Harmony Rediscovered

Psalm 133:1- "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

Six months after that night when Monique had prayed "Lord, if You don't do something, this marriage is over",she prayed differently:

"Lord, thank You. Thank You for doing what I believed impossible."

Harmony wasn't absence of disagreements.They still argued. But they'd learned to argue differently.

With respect. Seeking to understand rather than win.

Ephesians 4:26- "Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath."

They no longer slept on their conflicts.They resolved them. Same evening.

Deep Peace

John 14:27- "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you."

Peace in their home was palpable.Children noticed first.

"Mom and Dad smile now," their son said one day."And they hold hands like Sarah's parents."

This peace wasn't absence of stress.It was presence of God at center of their couple.

When bills piled up, they prayed together. When children were difficult,they leaned on each other.

Philippians 4:7- "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Joy Rediscovered

They started laughing together again.

Private jokes. Shared memories.That complicity that had united them at beginning had returned.

Psalm 126:2- "Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing."

Joy wasn't constant.But it was present. Really present.

Monique found herself anticipating Archibald's return from work.Not by obligation. By authentic desire.

Archibald found himself thinking of Monique during day.And sending her message. Just to say "thinking of you".

Nehemiah 8:10- "For the joy of the LORD is your strength."

This joy gave them strength to continue working on their couple.Because they saw fruits.

Trust Rebuilt

Proverbs 31:11- "The heart of her husband safely trusts her."

Trust doesn't return in one day.But it returns, stone by stone.

Archibald regained Monique's trust through his constancy.Every day, he was there. Every day, he chose the couple.

Monique regained Archibald's trust through her openness.She shared her fears, hopes, frustrations.

They had no more secrets. No more walls.

1 John 4:18- "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear."

Monique no longer feared being vulnerable.Archibald no longer feared being rejected.

Mutual Respect

Ephesians 5:33- "Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

They relearned to speak to each other with respect.Even in disagreement.

"I don't agree with you, but I understand your point of view."Not "you're wrong, as always".

Archibald started honoring Monique publicly again. Before children. Before friends."My wife is incredible."

Monique started honoring Archibald again."My husband works so hard for us."

Respect nourishes love. And love nourishes respect.

Grace and Favor

One Year Later

One year after that night of desperate prayer, Monique and Archibald organized small celebration.

Not wedding anniversary. Rebirth anniversary.

They invited few close friends and pastor who had helped them.

"One year ago," said Archibald, eyes moist,"our marriage was dead. We were two strangers sharing a roof."

"Today," continued Monique, her hand in Archibald's,"we're more united than ever. Not because we're perfect. But because God did a miracle."

Ezekiel 37:5- "Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.'"

God had caused His Spirit to enter their dead marriage.And they lived. Really lived.

Divine Favor

Proverbs 18:22- "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD."

Archibald had "found" Monique a second time.And this time, he knew it was grace.

Blessings began flowing in their life:

Professional promotion for Archibald
Monique found job with more flexibility for children
Their children became more peaceful, happier
Their home became place of peace where other couples came seeking help

Psalm 23:6- "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."

They didn't say everything was perfect.But they said God was faithful.

Their Testimony to Others

Today, Monique and Archibald co-lead struggling couples group in their church.

They tell their story. Honestly. Without embellishing.

"We were finished," Monique says at each new session."If God can restore our marriage, He can restore yours."

2 Corinthians 1:4- "Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Their affliction hadn't been in vain.It now served to comfort others.

The Message for You

If Your Marriage Is Dead

Ezekiel 37:3- "And He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' So I answered, 'O Lord GOD, You know.'"

Can these bones live?Yes. With God, yes.

Your marriage seems dead?God specializes in resurrection.

The Three Commitments That Changed Everything

1. Pray together every day5 minutes. Hand in hand.Invite God into your couple.

2. Say one positive thing every dayEven if forced at first.Words have power to create or destroy.

3. 15 minutes together each eveningNo phone. No television.Just you two.

Give Yourselves Six Months

Galatians 6:9- "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Six months.Give God six months to do a miracle.

If Monique and Archibald had given up after two weeks,they'd be divorced today.

But they persevered.And they reaped.

Monique's Prayer for You

"Lord, I pray for this couple reading our story today.Their marriage may seem dead. But You are God who raises the dead.

Do in their couple what You did in ours.Give life back to what is dead. Rebuild what is broken.

Give them strength to persevere.Faith to believe. Hope to wait for Your miracle.

In Jesus' name, amen."

The Final Verse

Joel 2:25- "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust."

God replaces lost years.

Monique and Archibald's three dead years?God replaced them with deeper intimacy than they'd ever known.

Your marriage can live again.

Your couple can be restored.

God can write a new chapter.

Believe it. Pray for it. Work for it.

And watch God do what you believed impossible.

Foundational Bible Verses