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 The
Young woman was a lovely person; beautiful, talented, and now
she was trying to be perfectly honest with me. She said,
"Brother Turner, I just do not want to be a preacher's
wife." But she was a preacher's wife, and had been
for eight or ten years. She loved her husband, there was no
scandal in their 'life together, they evidently had a beautiful
domestic relationship — up to the point of his work as a
preacher of the gospel. He was a dedicated student, personal
worker, public speaker, searcher for lost souls. She wanted a
place in the business and social world. Some times she was in
business conference, or at a style show, while he preached Jesus
Christ and worshipped God.
Now
brothers, and sisters, before you pass judgment on this woman
take a look at yourselves. She had an important job in the
business world. If you had that job, would you miss worship for
"Special events"? She was always present when business
allowed. Do you do things "for the boss" and "to
keep your job" that are just a little on the unChristian
side? Are you a bit embarrassed by conflict in church and
social-business standards?
"But
she was a preacher's wife!!!" Yeah! And that is what
bugs you isn't it? Well, that is what bugged her! She was
satisfied to be
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an "ordinary" Christian (by
this generation's standards), but she balked at "preachers
wife" standards. Shall we bring "our" standards
Up, or preacher standards Down — or have we "a rule which
God hath distributed to us" all? (2 Cor. 10:12-18). I asked
the preacher's wife, "Do you want to be a Christian?"
I
would like to believe that this wonderful Plain Talk article
will solve all such problems, but I doubt it. We may, however,
make a few young would-be preachers think carefully about the
kind of girl it takes to be a preacher's helpful wife; and we
may warn both boy and girl, if you can't give your whole
life to the common goal of Christianity — not to mention the
exacting work of preaching and teaching — you will be
unequally yoked. Your hearts will certainly ache, and you may
lose your souls.
Any
marriage is a life-time decision and an awesome responsibility
for young people to take. The goldfish-bowl life of a preacher's
family (right or wrong) adds more weight. We are happy to
report, however, that a godly woman, determined to serve God and
her family, can endure for forty-three years — and more — we
hope!!
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