And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Some friends of mine have been married for sixty-four years. The husband has been in declining health for some years, but his loving wife keeps encouraging him, car­ing for him, and feeding him, insisting that she is trying to keep him with her for as long as she can. Many looking on believe that she is the only reason he is still alive. He re­fuses to die because she will not let him.

I wonder if that is possible. Can you really refuse to die? Doctors have said that when there is a strong love commitment, the ailing person will cling to life until the loved one releases him or her. What a strong bond love is! Imagine—love can keep us alive. A lasting marriage filled with love holds the ailing partner to life as long as possi­ble. During that holding time, God probably prepares the one who will be left for the rest of his or her life without the loved one.

I know that most of us would like to be a partner in a lasting marriage. I have been married for forty-five years, and my husband always gives the number of years, weeks, and days when he is asked how long we have been married. I don't remember the exact length of time, but I am proud that he does. I am just glad that through the years the love and commitment have grown stronger. There have been troubled times, but God is the third partner in our marriage, and with his help, we have endured.

Perhaps that is the secret of the lasting marriage. God must be present in the union. I know that God is right there in that marriage of sixty-four years, and it will last until death.

Thank you, God, for those who set an example of love and fidelity in marriage. It shows us that long and faithful mar­riages are possible, and that is what you intended for us. Amen.

excerpt from: Rise and Shine: Inspiration to Start Your Day by Marjorie L. Kimbrough. Copyright©2011 by Abingdon Press. Used with permission. Order information below.