Staying Married for 60 Years
I was at a wedding recently and heard the very-much-in-love bride and groom repeat their vows. I looked up the actual meaning of the word “vow”; to solemnly promise, to make a pledge or a personal commitment. Powerful words.
“For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health till death do us part”.
“Wow”, I thought. Every couple started out saying these vows, either the traditional one above or ones of their own.
They said they would stick it out for the worse, the poorer or if ill health invades …
My parents recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. On their wedding day, as they stood before the minister 6 decades earlier, he read the following …
“My help comes from the Lord … Except the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it” (Psalm 121:2, 127:1)
If you could sit down with my parents today, they would tell you, there were times when they did have the worse, the poorer and the ill health … however, they knew their help came from the Lord and with God’s help, little by little, they kept building their house.
How do we keep our marriages intact for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 or 60 years …
My parents would tell you, it’s God at the centre. God’s love, forgiveness and grace, everyday, in every way.
If your marriage is struggling, talk to God – He knows how to put everything back together. He fixes broken things.
“For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health till death do us part”.
“If God before us, who can be against us”. Romans 8:31
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” I Corinthians 13: 4-7
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take”. Proverbs 3:5,6
Today’s Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, teach me to love like you do. Help me to put my spouse before myself. I repent of my selfishness. Support me as I “vow” to remember the vows I made and keep them. Build our home and marriage I pray, Amen”.