| By Andy Bratton, Senior Minister |
Today is my parents’ 60th wedding anniversary. I have been around for almost 52 of them. Whenever I say “marriage,” I can’t help but remember the Princess Bride movie and the famous scene of the king and princess Buttercup getting married against her will. And just when the formal service is beginning we hear the minister say, “Mawwige. Mawwige is what bwings us together today.” And later he says, “Wuv, twoo Wuv.”
I looked up that scene on youtube and I was thinking it was Billy Crystal playing the priest, but it wasn’t. However, what came up about Billy Crystal is that he has been married to his wife for 50 years. When he is interviewed about this, people in Hollywood are amazed that a man and woman could be married for that long. It was almost funny seeing people’s reactions as though they couldn’t imagine going into a marriage thinking it would last.
Instead of asking my parents what the secret is to their 60 years of marriage, I will give you my observations of their marriage and you can surmise what the secret may be.
- Mom is very supportive of dad. Whether in ministry or whatever he is doing, mom is his biggest cheerleader and publicist.
- Dad realizes mom’s support and loves her dearly for it. He knows he couldn’t have done ministry without her and knows he would struggle through life without her.
- They serve together in the church. They served by working in ministry for decades, but even in retirement, they are serving Jesus in his local church in Danville, IN.
- Their kids, especially the third one, are cute and adorable!
- Money was never the focus of their life. It was a means to help others and pay the bills.
- Their home was and is always open to those who want to visit or need a place to stay.
- When a friend is hurting, they hurt with and for them.
- They communicate openly and make decisions together.
- They had a good relationship with each other’s parents.
- Most importantly, they both love Jesus more than they love each other!
- And did I mention they have great kids?
Psalm 127 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
That verse is the verse I usually quote to conclude a wedding ceremony. It is a proclamation and reminder that God needs to be the architect of our marriage. Thank you mom and dad for looking to Jesus to build and sustain your marriage. Have a great anniversary!