Wednesday, March 12, 2008

John Newton's Wife

I read a biography of John Newton, "From Disgrace to Amazing Grace".

What a great story! Truth is more amazing than fiction, and it doesn't get any more amazing than the life of John Newton. God's grace is evident in his life even though Newton was engaged in horrific ungodliness. How God brought JN to Himself is a testament to His mercy.

Anywho, one of the interesting bits of his life, is that he fell in love at 18 or 19 with a 13-year-old girl, who he eventually married. He loved her and she loved him to what seems like an absurd degree. They both feared that they were idolizing one another to the point of being sinful! The author makes a few mentions to that fact that JN's wife was in no way his intellectual or spiritual equal and seemed surprised that Newton should be so enamored with her.

What the poor author doesn't understand is that Mrs. Newton must have been exactly what JN needed and wanted in a wife, and that had nothing to do with intellect or spirituality. Seems that he wanted and needed an adoring wife, and he got one!

Does that mean that a good wife is an adoring ditz? No, it just means that a good wife is an adoring, loving wife, and that could make up for any other deficiencies she might have. I don't know. It takes all kinds. I just thought that JN and wife made quite an interesting couple, to say the least.

5 comments:

Tori Leslie said...

I really like this post. This has such a good point.

My daughter, bless her heart, isn't the brightest thing around and she doesn't make all A-s in school either. So as for a college degree or such, she may never have. But I'm going to teach her to love her husband more and richer than any other could. To keep his home and family to the best of her ability and to Love God. I think those qualities out weight, intellectual and spiritual greatness in a wife.

Thanks Rhonda, this was good.

Pfingston said...

Well that does sound like a great read. I'm amazed only cause my story is so different. I need to work on my "adoring"-ness. I don't adore very well . . . but I sure do know that my man needs that. I see this adoring happen with my brother and his special gal - and even I enjoy their relationship . . .well, I could go on, but you know I too read "Created . . "

Pfingston said...

Well that does sound like a great read. I'm amazed only cause my story is so different. I need to work on my "adoring"-ness. I don't adore very well . . . but I sure do know that my man needs that. I see this adoring happen with my brother and his special gal - and even I enjoy their relationship . . .well, I could go on, but you know I too read "Created . . "

Cherish the Home said...

An excellent post! I really like your writing style and the way you put thoughts together.

I especially liked:

Does that mean that a good wife is an adoring ditz? No, it just means that a good wife is an adoring, loving wife, and that could make up for any other deficiencies she might have.

Blessings,
~Mrs.B

Rhonda in Chile said...

Tori! thanks so much. I too, am trying to train my daughter (by example right now) to be a good wife. Maybe she'll take what I have achieved and really run with it! BTW, I'd like to talk to you about our pastor friend. He will be in Croatia in a few weeks.


Michelle! I not very adoring either. Its just not who I am......yet.

Mrs.B! Thanks for the lovele compliment! You are a sweetie.