I woke up this morning thinking about all of the couples we
know who have had marital longevity.
Specifically, I was listing off those we knew as young people prior to
marriage, who have built enduring marriages that are obviously still
characterized by commitment and genuine affection.
Some of this retrospect is probably related to having
attended three fifty-year reunions during 2015.
At my fifty year nursing school reunion, I realized at one meal, that I
had been the soloist at the wedding of everyone seated at our table. Two couple were married 50 years ago, one 49
years ago, and Bill and I 47 years ago.
I can easily list off more than 10 couples of our acquaintance, whom we
knew as singles, watched the courtship/dating years of some of them from close
range, and were present at their weddings.
Decades have passed and these folks are still in love in spite of all
that life has thrown at them.
The common factor in these relationships is that prior to
marriage these people as individuals had a commitment to putting a relationship
with God first in their lives. They
entered into relationships with their potential spouses prayerfully. When they married, they did so truly
believing that they could accomplish more for the Kingdom of God together than
the sum of what they could do alone.
I understand that there are other approaches that result in
marital longevity. There are couples who
come together selfishly and with no thought of God in their life, who manage to
cling together without Him. There are
those who start out disastrously, who later find their unity within the context
of a commitment to Christ. But, this
morning as I awakened, I thanked God specifically for those who by a miracle of
His grace started out on the right path and have never swerved. All have demonstrated a life of service. Some are or have been missionaries or
pastors. Some have been life-long
faithful church members. Most have
raised children with great love and care.
All are still looking for ways to serve the cause of Christ.
All are still in love.
Something for which I am thankful.
Too many give up and miss the beauty of enduring love. How precious I find these later years with Dan. I'm so glad Dan and I held on when, for the moment, it seemed easier to let go. May couples be encouraged to do the same. Blessings on your marriage, Ruth and Bill
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