To the Woman I Love (a once-in-a-blue-moon post from Kennan)

Dear friend, wife, mother, M. Div. student, homemaker, professional campus minister, sister-in-Christ, and partner . . . or to put it more succinctly . . .

Dear Chandra,

I know that I don't often make appearances on social media. That is more your cup of tea. But today, I want to chime in to speak up on your behalf. Not because you need my wisdom - you have much wisdom of your own. Not because you need my protection - you are no wilting violet. Not because you need my blessing - you already have that. Because I want to encourage you and to do it publicly. 

I am proud to be your husband. It is no small task to be entrusted with the heart of a woman like you. I do not claim to lead perfectly (or even well at times), but God is gracious and is using you mightily in many different ways. I daily seek to be worthy of the headship that has been entrusted to me. 

You inhabit all of the roles listed above (and many more) with a grace that is clearly Spirit-given. You see the "have-nots" of the world and use your privilege to enter their suffering with Christ's love. You are not content with party lines and seek to make scripture your one constant. You love me in spite of my sinful brokenness and have never wavered in the commitment that you made to God to be my helpmate. Since before their births, our daughters have experienced the love of God firsthand through your actions.

You have spent the last decade ministering to graduate students through qualifying exams, dissertation defenses, bar preparation, marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, birth of a child, and crises of faith, vocation, and health. All of that care was extended to others even as you mourned the loss of our church, your job, our first child, your father, our city, and innumerable other "little" things that felt like death by a thousand paper cuts. Through it all, you have pointed others and yourself to the one true source of hope - the cross.

You have spent years (and will spend more) toiling toward a degree that will not gain you a pay raise, a better job, or prestige. You have invested yourself because you want to know God more and to minister to His world more effectively. Your treasure is truly in heaven.

You are an amazing person. I would be blessed just to know you and am infinitely more so to be your husband. Thank you for your love, your service, your sacrifice, and your humor. You are one of a kind. I am always-

Yours in Christ,

Kennan