A lifetime promise

Did you ever make a promise and realize that it was going to last the rest of your life? You promised to do this work, you had witnesses, you sign a paper with the promise written on it, and you celebrated that you made the promise. Now you have to keep that promise the remainder of your life. There is no turning back, you gave your promise.

Most people don't look at promises this way any more. The promise I'm talking about is marriage. The promise you make between you and the woman you love, to have and hold her for the rest of your life. Did you or have you kept that promise, or are you keeping that promise at this moment? I can honestly say I am. I have been married to the first and same woman for over 42 years. I still love her today, more than the first day of our marriage.

" Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman for she was taken out of man.' For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." Genesis 2:22-24 NIV

I can tell you that these years of marriage were not beds of roses. In fact the thorns came into play many times in our marriage. We did not give up on our marriage, we worked at it. We prayed. We talked and we had disagreements, but we learned as we went along. Marriage is a rocky road. It is not only a journey it is an adventure. Like any adventure you never know what will happen around the next corner.

We had one person on our side the whole journey, Our Lord, He was and is still with us in this journey of life, of marriage, and of family. If the Lord was not with us in marriage, I am not sure we would be here today. That is how rough it can be some times, but prayer and trust in the Lord pulled us through.

We communicated. Even in this modern era of the smart phone, we sit and talk to each other. The phones are always near, because our children and friends want to call some times, but when we are sitting and enjoying each other and talking the phones are not in play. We actual look at each other and talk.

We love each other. Our love for each other has grown beyond the sexual part. The sexual love is still with us, but the love is more. I can look at her and she can look at me and we know. If one of us miss a phone call from the other, worry can set in. Being on the road we talk by phone at least twice a day. I love the sound of the angelic tones of her voice. The sound revives me daily.

There are many ways to make a marriage work, as will as many ways to help a marriage fail. If you love your wife or husband, don't give up on your marriage over a rough road. Get the gloves out and work at it. No marriage is all roses and candy. There are some thorns and sore grapes in every marriage. It is how you both handle the rough spots that make a good marriage.

Bring the Lord into your marriage from the beginning, keep the Lord in your marriage. With the Lord at your side you can have a long and happy marriage also. You will be fulfilled. The Lord will bless you. Pray together, go to church together, and keep the Lord at your side always.

Until next time God Bless