Speak for Yourself!

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Almost 400 years ago, a couple of my great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandfathers, John Alden and William Brewster came to the new world on the Mayflower. I hope I got the right amount of ‘greats’ in there.

Anyway, the captain of the ship, Miles Standish, was smitten by the beautiful Priscilla Mullins (gr, gr, gr, etc… grandma). He had to vie for her affections with the ship’s carpenter, John Alden. Alden eventually acquiesced to his friend, the captain. He gave up the fight to allow Miles to be the lone suitor.

One problem, the captain was unable to speak in the presence of Priscilla, so he prevailed upon his friend to ask for her hand in marriage for him.

As John knelt before Miss Mullins to propose for Captain Standish, she interrupted him by stating, “Why don’t you speak for yourself, John?” So he did. “Priscilla Mullins, will you marry me?” and John and Priscilla officially became America’s first couple. You have them to thank for me being with you today!

John Alden Foods existed until the mid-1960’s with the motto on their cans, “It speaks for itself.”

All that to say, we ought to always be ready and willing to speak up and give an answer to any and all for what God has done for us.

Why don’t you speak for yourself!