Taken last Tuesday, the picture accompanying today’s blog has a story behind the story. Obviously, my beautiful wife is sporting a new haircut. Less obvious is the reason why — as this horrible disease advances, her hair is becoming exceedingly thin, and I am doing everything possible to make it less noticeable. Why? Growing up in the restraints of legalism, Linda often felt like “The Ugly Duckling.” After being set free and becoming aware that she was a beautiful daughter of her heavenly Father, her life took on new meaning.
For now, let’s back up to June 1963. Linda and I were to be married in Richmond, Kentucky, in two short months, and with 1,679 miles separating me from seeing her beautiful face and smelling her sweet perfume, I needed reassurance that I was following the will of God and not just my own desire. Therefore, I climbed up a mountain outside Salt Lake City, Utah, and shared my concerns with God. I will forever remember the clear directions I received as I read Psalm 128:
“Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel” (vss.1-6 KJV).
Now, I usually read from a more recent translation; however, on that day, God used the beauty of old English to establish the framework for our life, marriage and family:
Our Life Together Would Be a Team Effort
In the early years, that was easier said than done. My attention to detail and her spontaneity blended like oil and water. Over time, especially after the children were grown and we could think clearly, it became obvious that her spontaneity prompted fun moments that I would have passed over and formed the basis for much joy during the holidays. Conversely, my attention to detail allowed us to plan and complete projects that were necessary to success.
Family Would Be Our Top Priority
As a boy, I remember hearing my pastor say that his ministry came first and family came second. None of his children followed Christ. Before our children were born, Linda and I determined that we would seek to avoid that mistake. That is not to imply that we were always successful. On more than one occasion, we inadvertently failed and had to ask for forgiveness. Today, we have a growing family of 21 descendants. Though not perfect, each is committed to Christ. Not only have Linda and I been blessed to see our children’s children, but we are now seeing our grandchildren’s children — two and three more on the way!
We Would Adhere to a Biblical Worldview
Foundational to our beliefs, is the reality that out of all the nations on earth, God chose Israel to bring redemption to humankind. Even though I academically grasped this truth early in my ministry, at best, it was polite adherence. With Linda, it was an entirely different matter; she grasped it at the very core of her being, and her zeal in making it known, especially to me, can be understood in terms of the widow and the unjust judge. Rather than risk being beaten black and blue, I began to listen with my heart. Obviously, I am relating this somewhat in jest; however, in reality, I have moved from polite adherence to wholehearted commitment. If she were aware of the Abraham Accords and the easing of tensions between Israel and certain parts of the Arab world, her rejoicing would be immense.
Changing Circumstances Are a Fact, Not a Probability
Psalm 128 demonstrates that true happiness occurs when we embrace life as a process: fear God, live out his precepts, and love that which He loves. The truth and beauty of all this was challenged when dementia slowly took away Linda’s ability to provide fun moments for family gatherings, rejoice over discovering that great-grandchildren are even more wonderful than grandchildren, and discuss the unfolding evidence that all history points toward fulfillment in Christ. All of this was tough, but having to take over the responsibility for making all the decisions that we had once made together was agonizingly painful. Thankfully, God never leaves us to our own devices! In coming weeks, I will continue to share the wonderful peace that God has brought out of our pain.
Ron Harvard Ministries 