Whoever Loves Me

 “Whoever loves me will keep my word..." John 14:23

If we read the Bible, savor the words we read, observe them, obey, we will love as Jesus loved. His words are life giving, and "will not return to Him void". His words will bear fruit, WE will bear fruit. It is inevitable! 

Sometimes it is very hard, even bitter, to love, to keep God’s word, but some people are able to do so at great cost. Take the case of Bernadette “Bonnie” Wauck, a staunch Roman Catholic. She married Robert Philip Hanssen in 1968,and had six children with him. He worked for the FBI and ended up being a spy for the Soviet and Russian intelligence services from 1979 to 2001. His espionage was described by the U.S. Department of Justice as "possibly the worst intelligence disaster in U.S. history".

After Hansen was arrested, he was sentenced to 15 life terms without the possibility of parole and was incarcerated until his death in 2023. What happened to his wife Bonnie? She taught religion at Oakcrest University, was an active member of Opus Dei, and had no idea what her husband was really doing. She remained a devout Catholic, and faithful to the marriage, and reared her six children in an atmosphere of rectitude and moralistic piety. Bonnie and her children visited Robert regularly while he was imprisoned. A prominent podcaster said, “I've had the privilege of meeting her and she’s just a joyfilled holy person.” 

Bonnie Hanssen had no intention of divorcing her husband. Her attorney, Janine Brookner stated, “Clearly she doesn’t approve of what he’s done, and there was a whole part of this man she doesn’t know, but I think with her deep religious convictions, he will, at least in mind and in spirit, continue to be her husband and the father of her children.”

Lord, help us to plant Your word in our hearts, that we may keep Your Word even in the most difficult of circumstances. May we be fruitful, and be a blessing to others!