Go And Find
I do not recall the source
(book, sermon, conversation?), but I remember well the essence of the story
about . . .
. . . this young man (say 21) who went to a nursing home with a group of
Christian friends. Their custom was to make it a point to see people who
generally had no visitors. The point was simply to make friends with them and
discover what they might do to help. The visits were brief with occasional
follow-ups.
But this was a life-changing experience for the young 21 year old, who was
handsome, healthy and anxious to get this over with.
In the room, a frail man in his late 90’s. In the bed next to his, his wife who
had been unresponsive for several months after a major stroke. The old man
watched over her and frequently talked to her, assuming she heard and understood
everything.
The young man – in an effort to make some conversation – looked over to a black
and white picture well framed and placed on the bedside table, and offered the
comment: “Isn’t it ashamed that your wife doesn’t look like that now?”
The old man was kind but firm. “Sonny boy, do you have a couple more minutes?”
Sensing he had misspoken, he sat down and learned what would be a crucial lesson
he would remember the rest of his life.
“When I married her,” the old man started, “I knew something you may not
appreciate now. I knew her stunning physical beauty, good health, wit and energy
would not last forever. What’s more, I knew I wouldn’t always be that young man.
But I knew I wanted to make the journey from youth to old age with her. I could
see then, beyond her physical beauty. I loved her inner character, love for
life, respect for God. And I knew she would be a good wife and mother, not
because of the arrangement of her face, but because of her central virtue. So
you see, she is more beautiful to me now than on our wedding day. We have
experienced life ‘for better and worse,’ but we did it together and our love for
each other has not been changed by our aging bodies. Now, young man, go out
there and find a woman like this.”
Choking, the young man left the room. They became good friends. And as the young
man sat in a Bible class a few days later, it just all came together when he
heard this:
1Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands,
that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the
conduct of their wives, 2when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by
fear. 3Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing
gold, or putting on fine apparel—4rather let it be the hidden person of the
heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very
precious in the sight of God. 5For in this manner, in former times, the holy
women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own
husbands, 6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if
you do good and are not afraid with any terror. 7Husbands, likewise, dwell with
them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and
as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be
hindered.
By Warren E. Berkley
The Final Page
From Expository Files 17.10; October 2010
