Until Death Do Us Part
I’ve been thinking about some married couples I have known. The particular couples I have in mind are of a variety of ages, live in different parts of the country, and are of varied economic status. All, however, have one thing in common–one partner suffers from serious debilitating illness.
The illnesses vary: blindness, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, cancer, etc. In some cases, the illness has been determined to be terminal–the end is in sight. In other cases the illness is “merely” debilitating. The healthy spouse is forced to watch as his or her partner in life slowly spirals downward.
I admit, I can only imagine the pain of seeing someone you love deteriorate before your eyes, day by day. I can only observe the bare surface of what the healthy spouse has to endure as the primary caregiver. Yet, I stand in awe of my friends and acquaintances who stay the course, continuing to love, serve, and support suffering spouses.
The easy route would be to walk away and go on with life, free from the baggage of an ill spouse. In the couples I’m thinking about, the healthy spouse has not chosen that road. Instead, he or she has continued to be faithful to the marriage vow, “until death do us part.” That faithfulness is costly, more so than the rest of us can ever know. It is, however, a price these men and women are willing to pay.
What motivates such sacrifice? Love. The kind of love that puts the needs of others ahead of its own. The kind of love that meant what was said in the presence of God and witnesses and recognizes the seriousness of those vows. The kind of love that sets a powerful example of God’s love for children, grandchildren, other family, and friends. The kind of love that can one day stand unashamed before a holy God.
To lovers like this, I say, God bless you! Thank you for showing the rest of us what love is all about.