"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." Mark 10:9
Of the many things that keep a marriage together, you might not think that running would be one of them. But for DeEtte, 80, and Robert Andersen, 81, of Minnesota, doing new things, they say, is the secret to a successful marriage. They have been married for 58 years and have run more than 50 marathons together since taking up the sport in their 50's. They said that they fell in love with one another decades before they fell in love with running, but through it, discovered that the best gifts weren't jewelry or clothes but new experiences they could share.
In a world where marriage seems almost doomed to fail, Ephesians 4:2-3 gives us the true secret of keeping it together by advising us to "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Being humble, gentle and patient and putting God first in our marriages is the real key to a lasting union. It's only then that we will discover that the best thing we can give ourselves and our spouses doesn't come from a store. It is the gift of accepting, loving and forgiving them as God does us that will keep our marriages running strong.
Marriage changes as we grow older, that is certain. But by taking care of each other throughout the course of it, it can change for the better, to ensure that we reach the finish line together. Robert went on to say, "At this point we are taking care of each other, It’s just a journey. It’s just a wonderful journey." Oh praise God for a partner to share it with.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the giving us companions to share this wonderful journey of life. May we always look to you to be the foundation of our marriages and the thing that binds us together for the ups and downs, and changes and trials that will inevitably come throughout the course of a marriage. May you strengthen our resolve that what you have joined together, we will let no one separate. Give us humility, gentleness and patience to bear with one another in love even when it's hard. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
I will be here - Steven Curtis Chapman
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