SECRETS OF A MARATHON LOVE
These thoughts come from a "Marathon Marriage" of 46 years - not a record but worthy of note and emulation. (I first wrote these words in February 1977, but am printing them now because the husband of this wonderful marriage died August 11 and I will have a part in his funeral today.}
FAITH is a strong factor in marriages where love lasts for a lifetime. The wife said: "Knowing that my husband was guided by Christian principles gives me a secure feeling." And the husband added: "We pray together almost every day and thank god for each other and strongly believe that what God has put together should stay together. We love each other and we tell each other everyday by word and deed." Hey, if you love your spouse, don’t keep it a secret from him/her.
FAITHFULNESS is a powerful promoter of long, lasting love. "Although he traveled a lot, I did not have to fear that he would be unfaithful to me. He always made me feel special and desirable. He tells me that I am pretty even when I do not feel pretty." The man she was talking about said: "She knows that I am a one-woman man. And I know that she is a one-man woman."
BEING THANKFUL for kindnesses done, and SAYING SO will keep relational warm feelings alive. Being taken for granted is no fun. Just listen to this: "Though he was privileged to eat in many fine restaurants, he almost always remembers to thank me for my efforts in cooking."
Developing SHARED INTERESTS will do for love what "Miracle Grow" does for plants. "We have many shared interests," he says, "and I don’t enjoy the things I do by or for myself as much as I enjoy what we do together." "Our mutual interest in our children and grandchildren has helped to keep us close. We both enjoy doing things for others."
"Some of the Bible thoughts that we use with our preschool children in Sunday School have helped us to be happy together: ‘we are helpers,’ ‘love one another,’ ‘we work together,’ ‘be kind,’ ‘work with your hands.’"
One final thought - "We try to never go to bed angry or hurt, and we try to resolve our differences as soon as possible."
This is the legacy left to their family, their church and to their community by the marriage of Red and Wilma Davis: For "a love that lasts," focus on commonality - a common faith, a common trust, and common interests.
Amen!
8:42:16 AM 
|
