Marriage Marathon

Marriage Marathon

Sue Donaldson

June is Wedding Month. I don’t know why exactly. Maybe it goes along with Graduation Month – smart kids wait until they are finished with college before embarking on the next adventure – the adventure of a lifetime, here’s hoping and praying.

My folks didn’t wait until after dad was finished with college. He had a job and $200.00 and in 1939, that was enough. So, on this last May 6, they celebrated their 69^th Anniversary (no, that is not a typo.) Aren’t they cute in this vintage photo?

They met four years earlier – in church. Mom, at 16, was at the Sunday School registration table, and took note of the handsome older man (18). She and her girlfriend made a bet as to who he would ask out first. Mom won.

They courted for four years. Mom said she was hesitant because she wasn’t sure Dad really knew the Lord, as Savior – “I was afraid he was just a pew-warmer because his folks had raised him in church.” When she was finally convinced, she said “yes,” and the rest is history – a long history – including Dad returning to college, they having 5 kids, now 18 grandchildren – our Mary Grace is the last – and a zillion great-grandchildren. Dad has a list – in his front pocket, so he can keep track and brag to the world.

I tell my children that this marriage commitment is a modern miracle. We have unusual roots. My folks tell us it’s all God’s grace, and they are right. They were faithful to God and to each other, and it took grace.

Psalm 128 reads: “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. . .may the Lord bless you, and may you live to see your children’s children.”

At 91 and 89, Dad and Mom are blessed – they’ve seen their grands and greats – two more are due this year. What’s their secret? They would say it’s hanging in there over the long haul. Marriage is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. It’s not the speed of the race, it’s enduring til the finish line. They are still in the race, in spite of themselves. And we are blessed.

Dear God,

Sometimes we want to get out of the race. It’s too hard. We can no longer see the finish line. We might not even care about the finish line. Besides, we’re too sweaty and we hurt and life has sidelined us and-- who is this person I sleep with, anyway???

Please help. We need an energy bar from your Spirit. We need to want to be faithful. We need You, period.

And, thanks for helping Mom and Dad all these years. It’s kind of funny that they still bicker – comforting, in a strange way. May I see my children’s children, in spite of myself.

Love, Sue