We’ve been thinking about compassion, and here is a concrete example.

John and Ginnie are friends of ours, about our age, and live in Virginia. Ginnie has Parkinson’s and can’t get around without a wheelchair. John, until recently, had been involved in diplomatic activities at the very highest level. They frequently spent months in Vienna on assignment. 

Now he mostly takes care of her. They still travel, but, of course, John is completely responsible for all the logistics. When June told John in a recent phone conversation with both of them that we greatly admire his patience with, and love for, Ginnie, John cheerfully replied:

That’s what I signed up for!

That will preach.

Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. (Ephesians 5.25, NIV)