Yesterday, I had the privilege to visit the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC. It was a very nice place and inspirational to me. I've heard a lot over the years about Billy Graham, some good and some bad. Regardless, he has preached the Gospel for a very long time. The witness that he had all over the walls of the tour tell the story of Jesus Christ and that Salvation is ONLY through Jesus Christ. Regardless of whatever else people do not like about him, he has preached the Gospel message.
One thing that I noticed that got me a little emotional, was the tribute to his dear wife, Ruth, who passed away several years ago. I began to think about my husband, our ministry, the hardships we have endured, and the privilege of being the wife of a preacher.
I think many times those of us who are called to be preacher's wives, yes it is a calling, know the sacrifice it takes to be in that role. Not everyone has the same calling. Some are pastors, some evangelists, some church planters, some missionaries, but all wives of these men are important to their ministry. The wife of a minister should never have the attitude that "That is HIS ministry, not mine. God didn't call ME to preach, he called my husband. The church doesn't pay ME, it pays my husband. I'm not required to be active because it's HIS ministry." If you married him, and called him, then he has called you, plain and simple.
Recently, I've noticed preacher's wives are becoming less and less active in their husband's ministry. I see evangelist's wives staying home or not coming with them, when they have no real reason other than they just do not want to come. This bothers me deeply. Satan wants to destroy our families. He will start with Christ's church, the bride of Christ! This starts with the ministers that God has ordained and set apart for the ministry! Let me encourage all of you young and old evangelist and preacher's wives. Take part in their ministry! Be active and be supportive! If you can't go because you are unable to travel with them, then pray at home and get excited when they do about the work God is doing through them! Stop being jealous of God's work!
Ruth Graham did not go to every place her husband ever preached. She couldn't, she had children to raise and a home to keep. However, I'm sure when she could she was there. It is so vitally important to a preacher's ministry that his wife support him. That means when she is able to be in a service where he is preaching, she goes. She probably got to see very little of her husband when her children were little. She could not go out of the country or probably out of the state very much! But I'm sure she prayed! She may have even fasted! She supported him and when he did come home she loved him as if he had been there the whole time! But I'm sure when there was an event in the area where she could go, she went.
My life as a preacher's wife has not been easy. I have been an evangelist's wife and a pastor's wife. However, my heart is to support my husband however I can. There are only a few places that I have not gone with him when he has preached. I feel it's important to support him and if I'm the only one saying amen, then I say it!
My prayer is that God will help me to be the wife that my husband needs. That I will be supportive of his ministry and that I will never hinder him. That was my prayer when we married and that is still my prayer now. If you are the wife of a minister that should be your prayer as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment