7 Secrets for 70 Years

Not only does God have a plan for our individual lives, but the way we conduct ourselves in our marriages and they way that our families operate can testify to His presence. Psalm 127 says:
(1) Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.

So, an important question is: to what extent are our homes and families built on that foundation - an unshakeable foundation that withstands the storms of life, that reflects the love of Christ being expressed to one another?  When we consider how God would have us to live in our marriages and our families, we can recognize that His love, power, and principles will sustain us and that if we are dedicated to walking in His ways, that will produce incredible fruit to His glory.

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We glorify God as we continue to rely on him in our marriages and our families, recognizing the foundational principles upon which they are built. Proverbs 24 states:
3 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;
4 By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

We are now entering in the final two days of the month of January, and February arrives this Wednesday.  That means that Valentine's Day is just over two weeks away - two weeks from tomorrow, as a matter of fact.  The River Region is preparing to host a major marriage conference at the Embassy Suites in downtown Montgomery - FamilyLife's Weekend to Remember, and it is certainly a time when couples can celebrate their relationships.

The Baptist Paper recently spotlighted a couple from Arkansas who have celebrated 70 years of marriage. And, he's been involved in ministry even longer.  When he was 19 years old, in 1949, James Walker accepted two part-time pastor positions. At one of the churches, he met the woman who would become his wife, Mattie. 

They got married in July of 1952.  The article notes that James says there are seven things contributing to the length of their marriage:

Family.

The article notes:

James said he was watching his grandfather split wood one day when his grandfather said, “Don’t just stand there, do something.”

And James has been doing something ever since, Mattie said.

Born in 1930 and 1931, James and Mattie grew up during the depression. He said both their parents were hard workers and taught James and Mattie to be self-sufficient.

Opened doors.

James saw God open doors in a variety of areas of ministry, from pastoring churches, including while he was attending seminary, to working for the Arkansas Baptist state convention to service with GuideStone Financial Resources.  Mattie worked as a substitute teacher during the early years to supplement their income.

Christian education.

James reflects fondly on their high school years, saying: "...we had teachers who really helped shape and mold our lives. … They taught us the basic principles of life. … And we’re grateful for those experiences in those two high schools,” adding, “I remember all of my teachers as being practicing Christians.” Throughout the years, they continued to grow in spiritual education.

Christian stewardship.

When you consider that it is said that financial issues can become a catalyst for the breakdown of a marriage, James and Mattie kept things simple; he said: "The principle that we live by was that we always tried to keep our expenses less than our income. … And any extra money that we received we put it in a savings account and that gave us a little bit of a sense of security..."

Conflicts of life. 

The article notes a conflict in the one of the churches James served that could have resulted in his removal by those on the other side. His solution: he "continued sharing the gospel there and beyond."

Forgiveness.

Regarding conflicts among themselves, James says, “One of the factors in our longevity together is the fact that we can forgive each other..." He added: “We can forgive and accept each other. I can accept her shopping for many things, and she can forgive me for having that simple lifestyle without demanding that she give up shopping or I give up my conviction on the simple lifestyle..."

Faith and God's grace.

They have obviously been good stewards of the years that God has given to them.  The article said:

James referenced Psalm 90:10, “Our lives last 70 years or, if we are strong, 80 years. Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow; indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away.”

“Three score and 10 years. Well, we’ve had additional years,” he said.  “We’ve had lessons from all those years.”

These are building blocks in the lives of James and Mattie Walker.  And, perhaps those of us who have been married for multiple decades can reflect on our own "building blocks" and be thankful for God's sustenance.  His Word provides the blueprint, and putting Him first is certainly a strong principle for a marriage in which the couple desires to glorify God. 

The enemy will try to drive a wedge between married couples, and adhering to tried and true principles and continuing to love one another deeply and unconditionally can result in a marriage that goes the distance.  We should always seek to protect our home from that which would destroy and demonstrate an unshakeable reliance on Christ.