Robertson McQuilkin resigned from his position as president of Columbia Bible College and its graduate school in 1990 to care full-time for his wife whose Alzheimer’s was getting worse. She stopped recognizing him in 1993 and died 10 years later in 2003. Some of the inspiring words he spoke at his resignation speech can be seen in the short clip below:
Robertson McQuilkin wrote two articles for Christianity Today - “Living by Vows,” October 8, 1990, and “Muriel’s Blessing,” February 5, 1996. Muriel died in September 2003, aged 81. 5 months later, in February 2004 Robertston gave this interview .
The video below features Andrew Peterson singing “Dancing in the Minefields” from his album “Counting Stars”. The phrase “Dancing in the Minefields” is a vivid image that attempts to capture both the pleasure of marriage and the potential for pain. The song celebrates the joys of marriage, is realistic about the cost and difficulties, values the promises made, and finds hope in Jesus who lay his life down for his bride – the church.
Lyrics (excerpts):
Well “I do” are the two most famous last words
The beginning of the end
But to lose your life for another, I’ve heard
Is a good place to begin
‘Cos the only way to find your life is to lay your own life down
And I believe it’s an easy price for the life that we have found
Chorus:
And we’re dancing in the minefields
We’re sailing in the storms
And this is harder than we dreamed
But I believe that’s what the promise is for
That’s what the promise is for
Bridge:
So when I lose my way, find me
When I loose love’s chain, bind me
At the end of all my faith, to the end of all my days
When I forget my name, remind me
‘Cos we bear the light of the Son of Man
So there’s nothing left to fear
So I’ll walk with you in the shadowlands
Till the shadows disappear
‘Cos he promised not to leave us, and his promises are true
So in the face of all this chaos, Baby I can dance with you
