When we first arrived at Atherton, I noticed couples who were in their 80’s and 90’s holding hands as they walked down Melody Lane.
I used to joke that they were either experiencing their second honeymoon, or they were holding up one another so they wouldn’t fall. I have come to understand that it is the former and not the latter.
I read a story of a couple who were celebrating their 80th wedding anniversary. They eloped right out of high school. They firmly believed that God had brought them together and guided them through 80 years of marital commitment.
While reflecting over their eight decades of marriage, they came to the conclusion that one of the key ingredients in sustaining their commitment to one another was the power of forgiveness. Anyone who values a relationship realizes the need to be able to forgive the one they love as essential.
In a marriage, there will always be an insensitive remark, an unchecked emotion, a forgotten responsibility, or an offense. Some couples do not make it because they fail to embrace the power of forgiveness.
Paul wrote to the Colossians about the power of forgiveness. He urged them “as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved”, to “put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12.
The next result of the presence of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience in one’s life is “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” Colossians 3:13.
Paul concluded this thought by saying, “Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” It’s the power of forgiveness motivated by Christ’s love and forgiveness that allows a couple to experience the “perfect bond of unity” for eighty years of marriage.
It is my ardent prayer that we will always be able to love like Jesus so that we will have the power of forgiveness in our every relationship, especially marriage. Always love and forgive one another just as Jesus has loved and forgiven us.
This Is the Way.
Blessings,
Cory Ishida
