Savor and Cherish

We’re coming to the final points of our recommended ideas for a charmed marriage. Are you ready?

7. Continue to date. Take the time to date after you say “I do.” Do it once a week. You dated before marriage, why not after? It adds excitement. Take the time to plan those dates together. What can you do?

Go out to dinner-take in the better prices during happy hour.
Take a hike–find a nearby park–you don’t have to go far.
Set a “no TV night.” Play a game, put a puzzle together, read a book out loud to each other.
Plan a romantic evening at home with candles, music, a special meal. Perhaps set the table in front of the fireplace. Put fresh sheets on the bed, light the candles and put on the music!
Go out for dessert.
Take a stroll in the neighborhood and enjoy the sunset together.
Attend a local concert. This time of the year, plenty of high schools are putting on their yearly musicals and don’t cost as much. There’s a lot of young talent out there.
Watch a romantic movie.
Take a mini vacation–perhaps in the middle of the week when the rates are better.
Plan a night for romance. Agree “tonight’s the night…”

And finally,

8. Cherish each moment.

In our wedding vows, we promise to love and to cherish. Cherish means “to hold or treat as dear; to care for tenderly; to nurture.”

Sometimes Jim and I are asked, “Aren’t you afraid of one of you dying since you’ve both been widowed?” We tell them we choose to enjoy every moment we have together. We will ooh and ahh over a lovely sunrise; a full moon rising in the evening; reading the Bible together. We know from our past that very quickly–in a moment–things can change.

Tomorrow, we will be attending a memorial service for a dear friend of mine who is also a coworker in the ministry I am associated with. A few weeks ago, Jan was on vacation with her family in the tropics. She had enjoyed a lovely walk on the beach and came in to play a game with her granddaughter who was with them. She stood up to get something, and then collapsed and died right there in front of her family. There wasn’t a sound. She was there conscious, and then she was not. I am sure her family is devastated at the loss. She meant so much to them. I was devastated when I heard the news. Jan? Gone? She is gone. From us. But she is with her Savior, Jesus. Perfectly fine and in perfect joy. Jan loved to share with others her faith in Jesus Christ. She wrote many Bible studies drawing people to knowledge of Jesus Christ. I will miss seeing Jan. What an encourager she was with hugs and a smile to everyone she met. Yet, I know I will see her again when I journey to heaven. The following was part of a statement in the local newspaper:

Jan’s life was one of intentional impact. She lived with her eyes fixed on Jesus and her hands extended toward others. Her faith, love, and obedience continue to echo through the lives she touched on earth and now in heaven. Her legacy will shape generations to come. Read more at: https://bendbulletin.com/2026/01/23/jan-mathers/

We don’t know when our time will come but each one of us will come to death at some moment. Most likely when we least expect it. Cherish those moments with your mate and those you love.

“Heavenly Father, you created marriage. We are blessed to experience marriage here on earth. But one day, if we have trusted in You as our Savior, we will be with you and experience greater joy than any marriage here on earth can bring. Thank you that you are preparing a place for us and the promisee in your word: My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:2-3 NIV). Thank you, Father for the gift of marriage. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”