Most of our congregation are members of the same institution to which I’ve belonged for almost 39 years. It’s the oldest and most universal of institutions. I’m talking about marriage. Marriage is called an “institution” because it is a formal, socially recognized structure that organizes and regulates relationships between individuals, families, and communities. In sociology and anthropology, an institution refers to a system of norms, rules, and practices that shape how people live, interact, and organize society.1
That sounds rather sterile and bland. Such a definition is as exciting as the grayish white paint on the walls of an institution. There’s no warmth, no excitement, and no passion. However, that doesn’t describe a Biblical marriage.
Today is National Wife Appreciation Day. Of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:28, the writer says, “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” If you’ll allow, I want to take these few moments to sing my wife’s praises.
She is saved. Her testimony of salvation stems from childhood when she asked Jesus to save her soul. I think the only time she doubted this was when Dr. Lee Roberson preached an absolutely erroneous and egregious message at her home church when he declared that children could not be saved. Seems hypocritical that he would have said that when a huge portion of his church’s attendance in Chattanooga came from all the children they bussed in across the city.
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
She lives her faith. The longer we’ve been together, the more I’ve seen her faith deepen in the Lord. The depth of that faith humbles me. She is not a worrier or a fretter. She just trusts God.
Colossians 2:6-7 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: (7) Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
She is a prayer warrior. Sometimes, it’s as if she has a hotline directly to the throne. Yes, I know … every Christian technically has that, but I’ve never known someone to have such faith and trust in prayer like she has.
James 5:16 “… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
She looks for and prays for opportunities to witness. Her mission field has been the ones she has worked with in the restaurant industry as well as the customers. This has led to discipleship of those newly saved as she puts time into preparing lessons to teach them.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
She loves to teach the women. Teaching the women’s Sunday School class has been a joy for her. She studies, pouring time, thought, and energy into the lessons, asking the Lord for direction in what to teach. We are able to talk about the Bible together, posing questions, thinking through difficult passages, and desiring to know what God is teaching.
Titus 2:2-5 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. (3) The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; (4) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, (5) To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
She puts others first. My wife is ALWAYS on the search for something that would brighten someone’s day. As we go through a store, she will spot something and say, “Oh, wouldn’t ____ love this?” Often, when she was supposed to be looking for something she needed, she will come out of the store with items for others. That’s just the way she thinks and lives. And this is why I’ve been able to be a pastor and fire department chaplain 24/7/365 plus driving my school bus. She’s never complained about others being served.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
What you see is what you get. In other words, there’s no pretense. No hypocrisy. No two-facedness. She doesn’t try to put on airs or be someone she’s not.
Psalms 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
She loves me. That’s no small task! Over the last few years, she has been through a lot with me. The “for worse” and “in sickness” in our vows has been something she has experienced. At my very worst in the emergency room, she was holding the bucket as I was violently sick and staying with me through the night of my hospitalizations. I wanted her to get a hotel room and get a good night’s rest, but she refused to leave my side. She said that if she would go to the hotel, she wouldn’t sleep due to concern over me. She has been my staunchest ally, companion, friend, and soul mate. And she has been the epitome of what Ephesians 5 says to the wives.
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
I could go on and on because there are many more things I could write about my appreciation of my wife. To say that I appreciate my wife is an understatement. God could not have given me better. She was and is the ONE – nobody else could have been a better match. She is definitely the “better half” and so much more good than I deserve.
Yes, through the years we’ve had our issues as does any married couple. For those who might be reading this who haven’t been married as long as we have, all I can say is die to self daily, live for the Lord, and put the other person first in everything. You will find that if you give it time, God will smooth out the rough areas and blend you into that “one flesh” He desires.
Marriage is work. HARD work some days. But you will never regret that work. It’s worth every moment.
Today, I celebrate HER. 39 years is not enough and another 39 will not be enough. We were engaged at Thanksgiving time, 1986 and married December 19, 1987. Practicing Proverbs 5:18, I “…rejoice with the wife of [my] youth.”
1https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/6/675
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