60th ANNIVERSARY
“And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:11-13 (New Living Translation
Al and I are celebrating our 60th Anniversary this November 9th. We are often asked the
question – “How did you stay married so long?” I’ve been really thinking about the answer. I usually say “I don’t know” – but in thinking about it I think I do know.
This scripture in Ecclesiastes contains the “secret” – a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
The third strand to the cord of our marriage is our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When
it becomes your life desire to please the Lord – you are assured of success in every area.
I would be less than honest if I claimed that throughout 60 years both Al and I have lived our lives as examples of living to please the Lord!! Thank God for His grace, patience, long-suffering with us. But we started the journey as believers and through the ups and downs – valleys and mountains that third strand held us together! As we matured as Christians and sought to live the life that God expects – we became stronger as individuals and consequently as a couple.
Of course I have to give the usual “keys to a successful marriage”:
1. Always forgive – again and again
2. Don’t take each other for granted – express your feelings
3. Accept each other as you each are – celebrate & enjoy your different personalities
4. NEVER express negatives about your spouse – to each other or the world without.
5. Always look for the best in your spouse and believe the best!
But it is all contained in the scripture (your guidebook to a successful life) – Read
I Corinthians 13th chapter!
If you marriage did not start out with the third cord I would say there is still hope. You can begin anew any time you choose to accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior. It is as easy as
making a decision that He will be Lord of your life and inviting Him into your heart (your control center of your life) Then you can have confidence that there is the 3rd cord giving you an anchor and always strong even when your cords become frayed and near breaking – you can reach out and hang on!
Lord, I thank you for your life giving strength in our marriage and I ask that every one who reads
this issue of the Secret Garden will know the richness of a life lived in connection with the Source of Life – God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Written as part of Secret Garden in 2007