Genesis 2:18 “And the LORD God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”
Proverbs 18:22 “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”
John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Proverbs 31:26-28 “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”
I recently read “My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams.” It is a book that overflows with passion and perspective, and is rich with relational, historical, and spiritual truth. It will be the source of a series of PLUS posts over the next several weeks.
During our current extended time apart due to a military deployment, I gave this book to my wife as a gift for Valentine’s Day and bought a copy of it for myself. As a couple ourselves separated by long distance for an extended period of time (12 months and counting), we could read it together to reflect upon the broader context of our separation. In the case of John and Abigail, during the 26 years surrounding the Revolutionary War, they were apart for nearly 9 years, with the longest stint being a separation of 44 months.
On October 25, 1777, Abigail wrote the following to John: “This day dearest of Friends completes 13 years since we were solemnly united in wedlock; 3 years of the time we have been cruelly separated. I have patiently as I could endured it with the Belief that you were serving your Country, and rendering your fellow creatures Essential Benefits. May future Generations rise up and call you Blessed, and the present behave worthy of the blessings you are Labouring to secure to them, and I shall have less reason to regret the deprivation of my own particular felicity.”
While Abigail gives John credit in this letter for his service to the fledgling country, it is clear that this couple served together. Across the miles and throughout the years, they served their family, their community, their country, and Christ together. Their sacrificial service was a powerful and impactful manifestation of their unified partnership and focus. They were committed to one another and to the path that God had intended for them.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIAN COUPLES TO SERVE POWERFULLY TOGETHER. May our sacrificial service be a powerful and impactful manifestation of our unified partnership and focus. May we be committed to one another and to the path that God has intended for us.
