EDITORIAL: Godly Couples
When families share the bond of faith, hope, and love, they sustain and support each other in triumph and trials. May we impart to one another strength to serve, the courage to confront adversity, and the grace to endure loss.
Introduction
While romantic love is celebrated, people confuse passion and the passing pleasures of sin with a more profound and more enduring form of love. Pursuing the promise of sensual delight (“Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning; let us delight ourselves with caresses” [v. 18]), the foolish/naive youth of Proverbs 7 was led like an ox to the slaughter. Samson and Delilah’s torrid relationship was dominated by lust and devoid of love. Herod and Herodias also shared an illicit relationship.
In contrast, the Bible contains many examples of godly couples who shared a romantic and loving relationship and were also dedicated to serving the Lord. Let us focus on three areas–examples of loving, healthy, strong relationships from both the Old and New Testaments, along with several contemporary couples that I know and love. We will be encouraged by reflecting upon their service and steadfastness, trials and triumphs.
Old Testament Examples
God chose to fulfill His purposes through Abraham and Sarah, who over the long course of life, had their ups and downs but exemplified the value of faith and obedience (Gen. 18:19; Heb. 11:8-12). Despite occasional lapses in faith and good judgment, Isaac and Rebekah exemplified the value of enduring love, prayer, and passion (Gen. 24:62-67; 25:19-21; 26:6-11). While Ruth’s famous declaration of devotion was directed at Naomi, her bereaved mother-in-law, Ruth, and her eventual second husband, Boaz, epitomized loyalty and honor in all aspects of life (Ruth 3:1-18; 4:13-15).
New Testament Examples
Despite the unprecedented circumstances with which they were confronted, Joseph and Mary trusted God and worked together to fulfill His purposes (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38). Zacharias and Elizabeth were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord; they prayed for a child and waited upon the Lord (Luke 1:5-17). Aquila and Priscilla labored side by side, not only in seeking material sustenance, but also in the spiritual work of evangelism and edification, assisting Paul, guiding Apollos to a better understanding of God’s way (Acts 18:24-26), opening their home to fellow Christians (Rom. 16:3-5).
Contemporary Couples
Today, we enjoy many similar sources of encouragement. While each of us could offer multiple examples from our friends, family, and fellow Christians, let us focus upon three.
Ron and Donna Holbrook
Over a lifetime of service, Ron and Donna have made many sacrifices for the cause of Christ. Since the 1960s, Ron has labored for the cause of Christ, performing local work in FL, AL, TN, TX, KY, etc., and holding gospel meetings across the country. Since 1995, Ron has made seventy-seven trips to the Philippines, journeying to remote and dangerous regions to engage in evangelism, edification, and benevolence. On average, these trips last three to four weeks and occur four times a year. I have worked with Ron on multiple occasions, witnessing his diligence, dedication, and devotion to spreading the gospel.
In addition to his travels, Ron has established Help A Neighbor, Inc. (HAN), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals help individuals (no church donations are accepted). Its primary focus is helping Christians in the Philippine Islands, although occasional help is extended to Christians in other parts of the world. It aims to help people who demonstrate their willingness to help themselves. In his annual report covering 11/1/2019 to 11/1/2020, Ron reports that over $800,000 has passed through his hands in helping the saints. Funds are used to buy Bibles and Bible study literature, build church buildings, provide needed benevolence, and help in emergency circumstances.
While the focus is often on Ron, Donna makes it all possible through her tireless labors in the background. She handles this demanding lifestyle with patience and personal dedication. Her work makes it possible for Ron to do his job.
Shane and Kelly Carrington
I first became acquainted with Shane and Kelly when I labored in Cooper, TX, from 1987-1991. He grew up in Cooper, and she is from nearby Greenville. Shane began preaching in Dike (a small country congregation in rural Hopkins County), later moved to Jasper (in the region of Deep East Texas, 130 miles NE of Houston), and eventually ended up at Sulphur Springs (in NE Texas), where he has labored with the Southside church of Christ for twenty-two years–first, as an evangelist and now, also as an elder.
Shane and Kelly have done much for the cause of Christ. In recent years, they have been an enormous encouragement through how they have faced severe illness. Kelly is struggling with cancer. Her treatments have required repeated visits to MD Anderson medical center. Recently, she experienced a severe crisis in which life itself hung in the balance. Thankfully, Kelly rallied, and, as of this writing, is doing some better though still needing additional treatments. Despite prolonged illness, both Shane and Kelly have maintained a good spirit. He keeps friends and family updated with regular email reports, which are noted for their uplifting tone. On February 5, Shane wrote the following:
A dear friend of mine, Tim Jennings, asked me on the phone today: “What have you learned while staying with families during this cancer journey?” I replied with several things, but finally, I said, “I now know more fully what Jesus meant when He said that as members of God’s kingdom, we receive 100 fold more houses, lands, mothers, fathers, etc., than what we originally had” (See Mark 10:28-31).
Kelly and I are so thankful for the many who help share this load with our family and us. Also, I want to thank the several men in this congregation (Southside church of Christ in Sulphur Springs, TX) who have been willing to take on the lion’s share of preaching on Sunday evenings. Since I am only in town about one Sunday night per month, they have been speaking two or three Sunday nights per month. We can always count on them. Thank you, men: Kenneth Batterton (speaking this Sunday night), Dustin Soeder, Casey Phillips, Mitch Ramsey, Mike Miesse, James Duncan, and Keith Shurtleff. We have others we can also count on for this, but these men are in a pretty regular rotation right now. They are not only at the public services, but they are willing to sacrifice their time and use their talents in this way to the glory of God, the strength of His people, and to help those outside Christ to follow Him. Personally, I can’t thank you enough.
Thank you all for your many kindnesses to us! Your messages, the travel expenses paid for, food, and especially your prayers. We love you all! Yours always, Shane & Kelly.
David and Amy Raif
David and Amy Raif come from families that have long been devoted to the cause of Christ. David is the son of Robert and Nancy Raif, who labor in Corrigan, TX, while Amy’s parents are Jeff and Libby Smelser, who labor in Exton, PA. These young people were not content merely to be “PKs” with a “hand-me-down faith.” Instead, each made the faith their own! After training with several Texas churches, in their early years of marriage, David and Amy moved to Guatemala—raising their young family among the people with whom they labored. In more recent years, they returned to the United States and continue promoting the cause of Christ in the Philadelphia area. David and Amy are raising a large family and have sought to pass their biblical faith to their children.
Recently, Amy lost a child during the delivery process. While this was a tragic experience, faith, hope, and love sustained them. I was deeply touched by this photograph of Amy holding Phoebe in her arms, surrounded by her loving family. David’s accompanying comment to Facebook communicates courage, conviction, and confident trust in God, who helps us face life’s heartache with grace and gratitude.
Our precious perfect Phoebe flew away Tuesday morning during labor. Even in these dark hours there is light. . . many gentle comforts and tender mercies. . . and the beauty of these six siblings serving each other and us in this sorrow. . . Phoebe is ok. And we will be. But we miss her so. Please remember Phoebe’s Texas Papa and Nana who didn’t get to hold her little body or stroke her soft cheeks. . . Papa’s little namesake, Phoebe Gene. God is good.
Conclusion
In closing, please recall the words of King Lemuel’s mother, who offered wise guidance to her son regarding the impact that a faithful wife could have upon his labors and legacy:
Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which destroys kings. . . An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. . . She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. . . strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. . . Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates (Prov. 31:1-5, 10-12, 21-23, 25-26, 28-31).
Choosing a godly wife is a force-multiplier! The preceding Bible examples, coupled with the saints from today that we have considered, affirm the truth that two are better than one, and they receive a greater return on their labors through effective teamwork. This has certainly been true for me; I am confident that Ron, Shane, and David affirm the same. God’s ways are, indeed, best, and His people, above all peoples, truly blest.
by Mark Mayberry
