“A loving heart is true wisdom.” -Charles Dickens

“As for Biddy I love her and I am her husband, but I do not believe it is possible to exaggerate what she has been in the way of a Sacrament out here — God conveying His presence through the common elements of an ordinary life.” 

–Oswald Chambers, an excerpt from a letter regarding his wife working alongside him tirelessly in his mission endeavor. 

Oswald Chambers was a Scottish Baptist evangelist and teacher in the early 20th century. He is best known for his daily devotional My Utmost for His Highest, which has sold over thirteen million copies and has never been out of print since published in 1927. After his untimely death from a ruptured appendix at age 43, his wife, Biddy, assembled her shorthand notes on Oswald’s sermons and lectures to distribute to anyone who asked. Biddy (short for Oswald’s pet name ‘Beloved Disciple’) had been trained as a stenographer and meticulously took shorthand notes whenever Oswald spoke.  She could transcribe 250 words per minute, faster than most people can talk! This clerical skill proved to change lives 

for generations to follow. 

Her name does not appear on the 365 daily devotional book (only a short forward with initials B.C.).  Gertrude “Biddy” Chamber’s faithfulness and tireless effort is veiled, but because of her dedication, millions of believers have been challenged and encouraged to live a life of devotion to Christ. Her story is a reminder that faithfulness in unseen work can have an eternal impact. 

Oswald and Biddy’s story seemed mundane and riddled with tragedy, but the twist in the tale is the sustained ministry that remains today. Perhaps we should learn shorthand, dear Christian friends? 

 “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Matt. 25:21 

Prayer: I shut out every other consideration and keep myself before God for this one thing: My Utmost for His Highest. I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and Him alone. Amen (from- My Utmost for His Highest Jan 1 entry)