by J.C. Weeks

Created on: September 27, 2008   Last Updated: August 01, 2011

Longevity in marriage is a principle that seems to have lost so much ground in the last few generations. Marriage has become something that is throwaway! If it gets too hard or doesn't go the way we had expected it would go, then we just trash it and try to start over again. I understand there are situations where marriages must be dissolved for the safety or sanity of one or both partners. But when marriage becomes simply an issue of convenience, which we can discard when it becomes inconvenient, then we are missing a great opportunity.

The big, important word I think we need to remember when speaking of longevity is commitment! So many people, young and old alike, venture into marriage and so many other areas of life, with the thought process that if it just doesn't work out they can leave. I don't understand this philosophy of life because in order for things to "work out" they must be "worked through." This is where commitment, even though things may be difficult, will bring strength and endurance to a relationship. There must be communication. There must be commitment.

Where there is longevity in marriage it brings so many benefits to the family unit. When a man and woman are married "until death do them part" the bond they build and share becomes stronger than words can communicate and more secure than any amount of money can make them.

I was blessed to watch my wife's grandparents, who had been married for 60+ years, as they came to the end of their time together. Grandma had been diagnosed with Dementia and was beginning to fail. Grandpa and Grandma had made a promise that they would never put one another in a nursing home. Even when Grandma became so ill and unresponsive that Grandpa had to sit by her bed knowing she didn't even know who he was, he never gave up, never left her, never put her in a home. On her last day on earth and as she drew her last breath he was right there. Committed to the end. This spoke volumes to our whole family about the importance of commitment and faithfulness.

The promises we make to one another in marriage are sacred and important. As we stay together, work on our marriages and remain committed to one another we are teaching future generations some very valuable lessons. We must be careful what we are teaching and leaving as examples for our children and grandchildren. When there is longevity in marriage we are teaching them the importance of not only keeping our promises but also working things through and not giving up!

We are showing younger couples and newly weds that it is possible to follow through and build a strong marriage and family that will stand the difficulties and problems that life hands us. Longevity is a testimony. It can be done!

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