Ellen's parents tried to dissuade her, but emotionally, she was excited about Randy. Dating led to engagement, and engagement to marriage. During this time, things had gone well, Ellen thought. He even came to church with her once a Sunday - well, most Sundays, and when he did not, he always had a good excuse. Of course, they could not pray together or talk about spiritual things, but she hoped that would come later - after they were married for a few years. He had promised that he would try in the future. At different times, she had doubts, but then Randy would win her over with his tenderness and sincerity.

After marriage, however, his church attendance slackened. He just could not understand such a lengthy sermon, he said. Later he began to dislike her going to church twice on Sunday. "Why do I have to stay home alone every Sunday?" he asked. "You get to go to church every Sunday like you want. Why can't you miss once a month and go hiking like I want?"

But after their first child was born and growing up, problems really set in. Ellen wanted family Bible-reading and prayer at the table. She could not endure the thought of her child growing up without family devotions at the table. Randy objected, but Ellen insisted. Randy then left the table when Ellen read and prayed. Serious arguments took place regarding the costs for Christian education which was rapidly approaching, language usage, and a host of other lifestyle questions.

But Ellen's heart broke when her three-year-old said before Bible-reading, "Mom, I'm going in the other room with Daddy. I don't like to pray and read the Bible." When she heard her husband snicker, her broken heart poured forth in sobs which she could not control.

Randy finally decided that they could no longer live together if she was going to be so stubborn about her religion. He gave her the choice of either him or her religion. She pleaded with him to stay, but she could not give up her religion. So he left her heartbroken at twenty-five years of age. A court battle for custody of their child followed. Emotionally, Ellen would not have made it through all of the stress and problems, but the Lord and her family faithfully supported her.

Ellen's story is repeated in various forms in hundreds of marriages. In every case the persons in their dating years claimed with sincere assurance, "With us it will be different!" God, however, states, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (II Corinthians 6:14a).

Which dating principles does this story clearly illustrate?