No Abandonment Here

A group of my and my wife Grethe’s friends recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. Here were four married couples, still together after 50 years.

The story of Ruth celebrates loyalty. Ruth married a son of Naomi, but unfortunately both Naomi’s husband and Ruth’s husband died. As Naomi now makes her way back to the people she grew up with, she encouraged Ruth to do the same. Ruth refused and said that wherever Naomi was going, that is where she would go as well.

In these days, often “our way” is the only way of living. I wish to honour my wife’s loyalty as she followed me in all my adult working life. As I now try to share her life, values and desires more fully, I am very aware of what a radical and enriching road this is.

Many different values and many different journeys need honouring and lifting up. Many departures and new paths are elevated by all of us. This one path, however, has enriched me fully. Whatever path is yours, may there be no abandonment there. In honouring each other’s journey in life there is no abandonment.

O Saviour, you never leave us. You are ever present as we would own and follow our loved ones' joys and dreams. Amen. — KC