All Things Beautiful #9 – Ken Williams

In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesian churches, he summarized God’s intent for creating marriage. Uniting a man and a woman in marriage as one flesh (Gen. 2:22-25) anticipated the end of the age when Jesus Christ returns to earth to marry his church, his body (Rev. 19:7).

Followers of Jesus Christ, single and married, are committed to loving and respecting all people, but those who marry, commit to a special relationship of giving and receiving God’s love to one another every day for life. Jesus alone cleanses us by washing us with his word (Eph. 5:24-27). We don’t grow in his grace and knowledge by working harder to be the perfect mate. We recognize our need for his cleansing when we step on each other’s toes. Humbling, yes, but spiritual progress, not perfection, is evidence of Jesus’ presence within us.

Sylvanus “Sally” L. and Bonnie T. (Kellisvig) Strommen:

My Nancy Jo’s parents exemplified this.

Her father, Sylvanus (Sally) L. Strommen, was born on his grandfather Anders Srommen’s farm who migrated from eastern Norway to the United States Northwest Territory in the 19th century. He built his farm in what became southern central Wisconsin. Nancy’s mother, Bonnie T. Kellesvig’s grandparents, migrated from western Norway and built a neighboring farm.

January 21, 1938, Sally, a Blanchardville, WI senior high school student, took junior Bonnie T. Kellisvig, to a school basketball game. This started a five-year relationship that grew into a beautiful loving commitment between two likeable kids.

What a love story it was! We recently found and opened Bonnie’s Five-Year Diary, 1938-1942. A bit of Sally and Bonnie’s touching love story follows.

It was 1938 and Sally took charge of the Strommen family farm. Bonnie, a senior in high school, was heavily involved working on several school and community projects. At day’s end, they joined their friends at Bill’s, a Blanchardville hangout, for malted milkshakes. Soon after they looked for ways to see each other. They roller skated, bowled, attended high school basketball games, took walks, and saw movies wherever they went.

By 1939 Sally worked on expanding the Strommen family farm. Bonnie graduated from high school and entered the Madison College of Business, fifty miles from home. This didn’t discourage Sally from visiting Bonnie regularly. College classes and part-time work couldn’t keep Bonnie from her Sally. Her journal expresses her growing affection for him. His selfless effort to see her after a day of farm-work speaks for itself.

January 24th, 1940, Sally sent Bonnie her 19th birthday gift, a chain with a cross. 1941 he sent her a black onyx ring. Their devotion increased along with their work and responsibilities. Their growing love for one another was the fruit of selflessly giving and receiving with one another.

Selfless?

Bonnie’s diary entries are innocent, heartfelt devotion to Sally. Their first kiss goodnight was June 1942 just four months before they married. There was no hint of sexual intimacy in her diary. They respected one another and cherished time together.

December 7, 1941, the United States entered World War II. Bonnie graduated from Monroe Business College and went to work for the Rockford Drilling Mach, Rockford Illinois. Now over 70 miles apart they traveled by car, bus, and train but got together. Bonnie’s entries expressed heartfelt longing for time with Sally. After he finished his dairy farm work, he drove 70 miles to see her. He stayed late, only to return to care for his milk cows. Sleep? Reminds me of Jacob’s love for Rachel (Gen. 29:20).

Sally and Bonnie were married by the church, October 17, 1942. They had a God given unbreakable bond before this. Following Jesus in selfless love prepared them for marriage to each other and to Jesus.

“All Things Beautiful — #10” “Jack and Tina – one flesh”

Ken and Nancy Williams served for some 25 years in pastoral ministry, and then almost another 20 years serving and mentoring other pastors.  With the heart of a pastor Ken continues to write and blog from upstate New York where he and Nancy live close to their grandchildren.