At age 90, Cliff Barrows, Billy Graham’s lifelong Crusade song leader, offers valuable life lessons on marriage and other deep relationships.
I think Barrows is a good example of ordinary people who serve and are loved by an extraordinary God…who in turns makes them extraordinary.
How to Have a Loving Marriage: Life Lessons from Cliff Barrows at Age 90
- Even when schedules are busiest, make marriage a top priority. Barrows gets up early every morning to pray for and with his wife. She reads devotions to him because his macular degeneration has robbed him of his sight.
- Pray for discernment – Read God’s Word – Pray for application.
- Don’t pretend that marriage is easy or perfect. It will always require hard work from both husband and wife.
- “I think there are nine words we should be willing to say every day: I am sorry. Please forgive me. I love you.” -Cliff Barrows
- Three more words: I was wrong. “I think the greatest secret to a Christian marriage is the willingness to acknowledge it was you,” (Barrows) He recites Ephesians 4:32 — a verse that has become his compass through the ups and downs of marriage:
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”(NKJV)
(original article by By Kristy Etheridge, Billy Graham Evangelical Magazine)
Wise, wise words.