It was not by change that I met this elderly couple in Hobart-Tasmania, three weeks ago. Audrey and Maurice has been marriage for 56 years. Of course, they have been through all seasons in their lives together as a couple. The fact that they still serve God together in their late 80's, made me want to learn more. One of my new hobby is to learn and gain wisdom from other people. So right after preaching, I met them and asked one question, "What is the secret of your happy marriage" Both of them smiled and said "To have long lasting relationship in marriage, firstly, we must put God as the center of our lives. Secondly, never sleep with anger in your heart. And thirdly, keep forgiving each other. What a wisdom?

Personally, I thank God for people like Audery and Maurice. People who understood the meaning of togetherness. Not only that they knew the purpose of marriage. But also how to keep their love covenant before God and His people. When people understand the "why" they should not have struggle with the "how". I know why God created marriage, so in time of hardship, crisis and conflict, I know how to handle them. Even when our marriage went through "trouble waters" we tried to use God's guide lines instead of worldly guidance. It is not easy my friend. But, never give up. Keep God in the center, keep your heart clean and forgive one another. Ruth Graham said "Happy marriage consist of two forgiver"

When I wrote this devotion, I remember some of my friends who are going to divorce. I wish they met Audrey and Maurice before they made up their decision. My parents divorce when I was six years old. Back then I did not know why, because they never asked my opinion. I was to small to understand what they had been through. What I knew from personal experience was "divorce hurts". It hurt my father, mother and myself. So let us learn to strengthen our marriage by listening the wisdom from my new teacher, Audrey and Maurice.

One of the verse in the Bible that keep my marriage strong till now is found in Malachi 2:15-16 "God, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that's what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don't cheat on your spouse. "I hate divorce," says the God of Israel. God- of- the- Angel- Armies says, "I hate the violent dismembering of the 'one flesh' of marriage." So watch yourselves. Don't let your guard down. Don't cheat." I believe that this principle in marriage is still up to date.