What Radical Wives Do

The poor guys in my mentoring groups get seriously beat around the head and neck with Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” Christ didn’t trade love, He gave it. Sacrificial. Selfless. One-way. Nothing in return. Undeserved blessing given to us out of pure love. It’s a high calling and maybe the ultimate challenge for a man . . . to put himself and his ‘wants’ second to those of his wife. That’s what Radical Husbands do.

Over the last 3 weeks, I’ve seen what a Radical Wife does. Just trying to write down the countless things Miriam has done to take care of me brings snot bubbles and tears. From the moment we got ‘the call’ that a lung had been located and we should head to Emory, she put on her ‘big girl britches’ and stepped up. Facing the immediate prospect of becoming a widow, she shook off the fear and turned all of her energy to prayer, to taking care of me, encouraging our kids, family and friends. When I woke up, she was right there. She never left. Through ICU, endless IV’s, a week in the hospital and another week at the Mason House, she’s been my nurse, my personal valet, my chef and my guardian, protecting me from every germ. She’s washed and ‘Purell’ed’ her hands until her skin’s cracked. She’s bathed me, changed bandages, rubbed lotion on my feet and picked up every single thing I’ve dropped (which has been a lot).

The most amazing thing is her positive attitude. She never complains, even after being awakened multiple times each night with some little need of mine. Instead, she jumps up immediately to meet whatever the need is. There’s never a murmur . . . never a groan or a roll of the eyes. Miriam took her wedding vows seriously. It took a lung transplant for me to see just how seriously she took them and how deeply she loves me. I’m no ‘cake walk’ to live with . . . I can be contentious and defensive at times. Yet she rises above all that and loves me with the love and grace our Lord loves us with.

There’s lots of reasons people want to live long lives. Finish a great work, pay something back (or forward), leave a legacy, see all of the world they can see. For me, it would be an honor to live long enough to serve Miriam through a health crisis the way she’s loved and served me through this one.

Radical Wives are faithful, prayerful, positive, committed, selfless, humble, loving, thorough and courageous. They make you want to fight for your life, your marriage, your family and your future. 46 years ago, through no brilliance of my own, God gave me a Radical Wife. I’ve loved and appreciated her more each year. But these last 3 weeks are the capstone. I’ve seen and felt her love like never before. Thank you Jesus for Miriam Martin Campbell, ‘the bride of my youth.’ My soul mate. My best friend.

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