What I have learned from a lifelong marriage

One of my sisters does in home care for an elderly woman. I go twice a week to help out, I call myself the relief care giver and it gives my sister a day off. I am learning a lot and this sweet lady is a joy to care for. We spend many times just sitting side by side singing the old Hymns which many times turns into true worship.

She is married to a gentleman who has been a volunteer pastor for the past 16 years. I don't know a whole lot about their life together, but what I know, is enough to keep me married the rest of my life to my husband. Let me share with you what their marriage has taught me.

Watching him care for her day in and day out month after month with no end in site has amazed me. Watching him has shown me what true devotion, loyalty, care and love is. Watching him has shown me what it means to provide your very best for the betterment of someone else. Watching him has shown me what it means to keep your promise "for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness or health, til death do us part".

I know it is not in his own strength that he does this, Jesus is with both of them every step in this part of their journey together. And it is beautiful to witness.

I have learned a huge life lesson from her too. There is a chance that maybe someday my memory won't be what is was... I will forget things and people. I will lose the enjoyment of all the big and little things in life. There may even come a time when I won't ask about my children. There may be a time when the only things that matter to me is "Can I go with Jesus?" "Can you take me home?" and "Where is my husband?" oh and this one... "You love me and I love you, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck." that one always makes me smile!

But it is this question that really got me evaluating my life: "where is my husband?" She enjoys others' company as best she can but the one person she doesn't want to be without the one she always asks for is her husband.... I want that.

I am reminded that in all of the business of life (working outside the home, homeschooling, raising a daughter for the Lord, running a household, ministry, etc) I need to remember that other than the Lord, my husband should be on my mind the most. I need to remember to take steps during the days, weeks and years to grow closer to him. To be his helpmeet. I have a little joke with him sometimes when I say "Oh honey, lets grow old together!" But now I think of that in a more serious manner. Because at the end of our journey I want him to matter to me and me to him more than ever. Seeing their marriage makes me want to be so much better for my husband. It makes me want to strive to be devoted and loyal and love him the best I can. It makes me fall on my knees again asking God to change me- to change my heart, because I know I cannot change in my own strength. And the end of my life I want to have loved him well.

Today marks their 66th wedding anniversary. May God bless their marriage! I am thankful to have had the privilege of seeing a glimpse of what a godly lifelong marriage looks like.

Linking up at: Faith Filled Food For Moms