My mind went back to over 45 years ago when Eric and Ann were courting. They first met on the local bus. It wasn't long before Eric was saving Ann a seat on the journey to Bury St Edmunds and Ann was doing the same for him for the return trip. Woe betides anyone who tried to take the seat Ann was saving for Eric. Ann was an orderly in the old West Suffolk Hospital and after Eric had finished work he would cycle the seven miles to Bury St Edmunds to escort her home. I can see them now walking down Chapel lane to do their courting in the meadows up by Manor farm. They were an ill-assorted couple - Eric was tall and lean and Anne was short and dumpy. One ill-natured youth nick-named them: cork and bottle!

Well eventually my father married them. On a good day my father had a dry sense of humour. He met Eric in the lane three days before the wedding and commented, "It's about time you got married Eric." Poor old Eric spluttered and stammered - he thought my father had forgotten all about his big day.

For a while they lived in a remote farm cottage on the outskirts of the village. On Saturdays I would see them walking home from the bus stop. Eric would be striding out in front and Ann would be struggling to catch up - huffing and puffing and complaining bitterly. Eventually they moved to a council house a few miles away and I rather lost touch with them.

At the time several people said the marriage wouldn't last. Eric suffered from epilepsy and a stammer and Anne was illiterate and fiery. I can remember Anne's language when her brother in law lost patience, picked her up and sat her on the hedge. "Let's see you get down from there," he said. I won't record Ann's reply! Eric would say of his wife, "She knew her own mind." But the marriage did last. Ann was proud of her man - he was strong, virile and good-looking. Eric was loyal. He would say to Ann, "I've got myself a wife and I don't intend to get another." He intended to remain true to his marriage vows. For the last two years of her life Ann was an invalid and Eric had to do everything for her. His faithfulness was tested and not found wanting. He cared for Ann at home until almost the very end.

I agreed to conduct the funeral. I went to see Eric and we chatted by his cheerful fire. I admired the brasses in the hearth. "Yes," he said, " I bought those for Ann." He thought a moment and continued, "And she made sure I kept them polished." I looked again at those brasses - and they were shining bright.

I wonder if in your marriage you keep the brasses in the hearth shining bright. If we follow Jesus he gives us a work to do - and it is something if we can keep his brasses shining bright.