A Promise Kept
A Promise Kept tells the story of Dr. Robertson McQuilkin, president of Columbia International University (formerly Columbia Bible College ) in Columbia, South Carolina for 22 years. Dr. McQuilkin and his wife Julie were missionaries to Japan for 12 years before coming to CIU. Julie worked in conjunction with her husband within the academic community concentrating on public broadcasting and student counseling.
In 1990, Robertson stepped down from his post in order to take care of his wife Julie. Julie had Alzheimer’s disease and had come to the point where she required constant care. Some people lauded his decision to show “love with no regrets” for his wife; while others saw his decision as a great loss for the academic world. When Dr. McQuilkin walked away from his position as the University president, he was at the peak of his career. Nevertheless, he chose to give up his position and prestige to care for his wife 24 hours a day.
Many of the McQuilkins' friends suggested he should get a caretaker to do the job or consider placing her in a nursing home. He refused to do either simply because he had made a promise before God that “for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health” he would love her “for as long as they both shall live.”
That is the power of commitment and the power of God!
