By his side...

When I read this poem by Diane Tappe, the words that came to mind were: "By his side."

I Am the Preacher’s Wife 

I am the woman who proudly sits in the shadows as her husband stands in the light.

I am the one who knows her husband is a gift from God,

and so I give him back to my Lord through his full-time service.

Often times, I am so lonely for him because I share him with others.

But I am also pleased that he gives of himself so unselfishly.

I am the one who encourages the preacher when others sometimes fail to.

I am the one who listens to his dreams for the church and helps him look into the future

and see his dreams become a reality.

And when others wonder if he really cares,

I am the one who sees him on his knees, shedding tears for the future of the Lord’s church.

If you're someone who has been used to the "limelight" or desirous of it, it's easy to feel slighted or even offended when you're ignored as you husband is honored/applauded. As you mature as a Christian and wife, this is something that should be like water off a duck's back*. God's approval is definitely more important than man's applause.

I don't agree that "behind every successful man is a woman" - for me it's "beside every successful man is a woman." Every woman, not just Mrs Pastor, must be by their husband's side to support and stabilize him not to "stab" him. In John 19:34***, it's obvious that it was a solider close to Jesus who pierced his side. We should also be protective and not pierce them.

Today I celebrate my husband - it is an honour and privilege to be by his side*** - not just today but for life.

References:
* http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.ca/2013/11/water-off-ducks-back.html
** John 19:34 - One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. (NLT)
***http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.ca/2014/06/by-his-side.html

Tested...

...then trusted.

Those 3 words struck me as I listened to 1 Timothy 3 sometime ago. Let's read it together:

"Let me get back to you on that one..."

When I saw this picture, I fell in love with it...

For love's sake...

As I write this piece, I'm reminded of a phrase - "for God's sake" - I heard a lot while growing up - not so much these days. I know it is an idiomatic expression and some people may feel it was an "idiotic" expression...especially when it sounded like taking God's name in vain just to emphasize something. Well, I'm not going to spend time there as that's not where I'm headed.