God was good to us on September 27, 2003. That’s when Adam Curington became our son-in-law. We weren’t lucky enough to know him from his birth date, but we’ve known him long enough to love him like a son, and today is his birthday.

Adam and our Linnea met while serving in Youth With A Mission. Each traveled the world, both as students and then as leaders, but never worked together. Unbeknownst to them, however, God was busy arranging their lives to one day intersect in an important way. He saw to it they were on the same YWAM trip to India in 2002, and the first story we ever heard about Adam was proof of his character. When Linnea had gotten sick, he’d held her hair back while she vomited. When I heard that, I knew he was quite the man.

After India, the two of them learned they’d each applied to, and been accepted by YWAM’s School of Biblical Studies, an intense nine month focus on the Bible and only the Bible, in Kalispell, Montana. During those months, Linnea and Adam’s friendship grew into something more, and on a remote trail during a mountain snowstorm, Adam proposed.

After marrying in 2003 but then struggling with fertility issues, the two of them were surprised and delighted to receive God’s miracle baby, daughter Skylar Grace, in 2008. She has been a small but mighty addition to the family, and Adam has been a spectacular father despite days when strong-willed Skylar has challenged him beyond what the average parent could bear. But Adam is no average parent. Never have I heard him raise his voice. His extreme patience has set him apart, along with his careful listening skills and evident inner peace.

Adam enjoys being with his wife and child. Baby #2 is due any day, and he looks forward to sharing his love of mountain biking, boating, skate boarding, swimming and mastering computers with his children. He’ll teach them no task is too hard to try and will show them how to tackle challenges in bite sized pieces. They’ll always know family is his highest priority, right beneath his tight relationship with the Lord.

The wisdom he’s gained from walking in daily submission to God is there for the asking, although he forces it on no one. After all the Nymans have voiced their opinions around the dinner table with many words and much animation, we look at Adam, who has patiently waited in thought. Inevitably, in few words, he tosses out an idea that leaves the rest of us wondering why we didn’t think of that.

It isn’t easy marrying into a big, close-knit family of extraverts, but Adam has embraced that challenge with eagerness, winning the approval of Linnea’s four brothers and two sisters. He’s even willing to have his mother-in-law stay under his roof for weeks at a time and has invited my buddy Jack to come along on our next visit. That’s one exceptional son-in-law.

When Nate was sick and all 13 of us were in the cottage together, each night before dinner he would choose someone to pray. He didn’t usually remember who he’d asked the night before, but more often than not, as he looked around the room he’d say, “How about Adam tonight.” Sometimes it would be “How about Adam” three nights in a row. Father-in-law approval ran high.

I will never forget, two days before Nate died, the evening when all of us took turns saying goodbye. When Adam slipped into the chair near the head of the bed, it was natural for him to simply begin talking to God on Nate’s behalf, the most powerful help he could have offered in that moment so close to eternity. His voice didn’t falter as his love poured forth, strengthening Nate and also the rest of us who were listening in.

With all the concerns Nate had as his life narrowed to a close, worrying about his daughter Linnea was not on his list. She was in good hands, and he knew it. I know it, too, and am so thankful for Adam.

“Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:12,14)