YOUR ENTIRE vs PARTIALLY YOURS

Their being the only thing of their private life she could keep from becoming public Martha Washington destroyed all the letters of their correspondence upon George’s death in 1799. Only three letters escaped. Two of them had slipped beneath a drawer. One of these was a letter that the General had written hastily when he was on the front lines during the Revolutionary War. It revealed Washington’s warm affection for his wife. It was his closing that caught my attention: Your Entire, George Washington I do not know if that was a commonly used closure for a letter of that day or a unique expression of our first President. I was, however, struck by it: “Your Entire, George Washington.” What an expression of devotion. I am sure Martha was moved by and appreciative of such an expression when she read it. If he’d felt less than complete devotion, George would not have been unwise enough to state it, but just think if George had confessed in his closure less than complete devotion. Think of how it would sound. Think of how Martha would have received it: “1/2 Yours, George Washington,” or, “Partially Yours, George Washington,” or “75% Yours, George Washington.” I have read of people who have closed their verbal prayers to God like they would a letter: “Sincerely Yours, _________” Or, “Your Humble Servant, _________________” If true, wouldn’t it be a fitting closure to a prayer to employ George’s words: “Your Entire, ___________.” Of necessity the question arises, Could I really address myself to God with such words and they be truthful? “Your Entire, ____________” Or would it be more accurate to express myself to God as “1/2 Yours,” or “Partially Yours,” or “Somewhat Yours”? As we can see how “Your Entire, George Washington,” would have moved Martha’s heart and how “Partly Yours, George Washington,” would have been disappointing and disturbing to her, to say the least, we can also easily imagine the difference our expressions would be to God. Of course, if His nature were different than what it is, He could be indifferent to any of our expressions or declarations of ourselves to Him. But, how He must be moved and pleased hearing from us, “Your Entire,” and how disappointed (anthropologically speaking) He must be to hear or perceive our “Partially Yours.” Instead of an actual letter, think of your worship this Sunday morning. After you have expressed your worship, how could you truthfully sign off? “Your Entire, “ or “Partially Yours”?

YOUR ENTIRE vs PARTIALLY YOURS

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