Louise
Today – June 28, 2018 – is our 60th wedding anniversary. It happens that we are in Hong Kong, one of my favorite cities in the world. We did not choose to be here because of our anniversary; I had agreed to preach here, knowing we would be coming from London. So we came a couple days early to have some time alone on our anniversary. This way we also saved our children from having to make a big fuss over us had we been in Nashville at this time.
I want to tell you about Louise.
First, read Proverbs 31:10-31 – that is Louise. An extremely rare jewel. Worth more than rubies (my favorite gem; after all, I was born in July!).
Second, she is as beautiful today as she was the day I married her. Have a look!
Third, no woman on earth could have put up with my faults, flesh and frailties as she has done. No one. Only God knows what she has had to live with. Her reward will be great in Heaven.
Fourth, she loves God with all her heart, soul, mind and strength. Her prayer life exceeds that of many, many people in the ministry full-time. She has been this way for years. She began reading the entire Bible through from cover to cover yearly beforeI met her. She never wanted to be a preacher’s wife, by the way; it was the last thing she wanted. But I can honestly say she is the best minister’s wife I have ever come across.
Fifth, she is highly intelligent. Only a few get to find this out because sadly I get the lion’s share of the attention. She is much like Mrs. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, wife of my chief mentor. Louise’s I.Q. is higher than mine; she could have earned an Oxford D.Phil. in Shakespeare easier than I did in theology. The funny thing is, I had no idea of this when I met her. I just fell for her – that’s it. I didn’t realize all I was getting in this beautiful package. God was infinitely gracious in preserving her for me. My Dad had prayed for years, “Don’t let R. T. fall in love with the wrong girl”. Prayer answered!
Sixth, she has been a supremely good mother. Whereas I put my ministry first (to my regret), she put the family first. It is to her credit, not mine, that our children have turned out so well. I’m happy to say that both T. R. and Melissa truly appreciate her.
Seventh, she is the best grandmother I ever saw in my life. Amazing. Our grandchildren love her so much. I can’t imagine how they will grieve when she goes to Heaven. I am happy to report that she is in good health; her mother lived until she was 97!
I could go on and on. But now let me pray:
Heavenly Father, thank you for Louise. Apart from saving me, she is further proof how much you love me. I also thank you for T. R. and Melissa. You have given us two wonderful children. Thank you for Annette whom you gave to T.R. Thank you for their children Toby, Timothy and Tyndale. Thank you for Rex whom you gave to Melissa. Sprinkle the blood of Jesus by Your Holy Spirit on all of us. Protect us from the evil oneand guide us by your Spirit until You call us Home. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
