John Newton is the author of the famous song, Amazing Grace, and the subject of a movie with the same title.  His story is one of redemption and worth emulating in our own lives.  We recently came across this letter he wrote to his wife chronicling their life and history together.  What a powerful testimony of what God intends marriage to be – may our marriages be strengthened as the years pass and “old age creeps in upon us!”

August 6, 1785
My dear wife,
The Lord has preserved us through a long course of years, and in different situations, from various calamities which have overtaken others. Our obligations to thankfulness are singular and numerous…

How many changes have we seen!

Under how many trials have we been supported!

How many deliverances have we known!

How many comforts have we enjoyed!

Especially, what great advantages have we possessed, in knowing those things which pertain to our everlasting peace!

The years we have passed together–will return no more. The afflictions are gone, the pleasures likewise are gone, forever. The longer we live, such pleasures as this world can afford, will, more and more, lose their power of pleasing. Only our love, I trust, will exist and flourish to the end of life–yes, beyond it! It will always be a truth, that the Lord, in giving you to me–gave me the best temporal desire of my heart. But the shadows of the evening advance. Old age is creeping in upon us, and the days are approaching when we shall have no pleasure–but what we can derive from the good Word of God, and the consolations of his Holy Spirit. These, if we are favored with them, will sufficiently compensate for the abatement, or the loss, of all the rest. The streams may run dry–but the fountain of living waters will always flow! May His presence be near our hearts–and then all will be well.         (provided through Grace Gems)