By Naomi Johnson
I did not marry a preacher. In fact I did not even marry a Christian! My husband thought he was a member of the Lord's church and so did I. It was 20 years later when he wanted to study with others that he realized he had not been scripturally baptized. The mistake was quickly corrected. This was the beginning of a dedicated life to Christ for both of us. We quit "playing church" and went to work. Both of our children were in high school and worked along with us in the local congregation, and after 20 years as a police officer, my husband retired, was home for a short time, and then started a full time work for the Lord.
Since I became a preacher's wife in my older years I have not had as much of a struggle with the daily stress as wives who take on this role at a much younger age. With no children at home I have had more time to spend visiting, teaching, making hospital visits, and being readily available should a counseling session arise. Many troubles can be avoided if the preacher never counsels a woman (of any age) alone in his home or office. (When I say "alone" I mean with no one in the close proximity.) The preacher's wife must be alert and ready to be present when these occasions occur.
A preacher's wife is expected to automatically know how to teach ladies' Bible class. In looking for help, I quickly learned that most of the older saints had never taught a class or at least not in a long time. They were always there having studied the lesson for that day, but it was like pulling teeth to get them involved in teaching a class. It took a while for some to come to the realization that they had a lot of ability they weren't using. I made a list of special studies from John, the book we were studying, and let them pick the topic they would like to teach. One lady in her early 80's made a list of all the names used in the OT and NT for our Lord and Savior. She put me to shame. She found many more references than I did. She even wrote and read some comments about the importance of knowing Christ and all His attributes. My success in getting these ladies to prepare and teach lessons helped me to learn that I did not have to do it all. All I did was give them direction and time to prepare.
I have learned many great lessons from my sisters in Christ. I have observed some who never did anything in the way of public teaching yet were busy behind the scenes. One lady volunteered to send cards to the ones missing services or those who were ill. Another one prepared food for anyone sick in the community. These ladies were known as great Christian women. Did they teach? Most certainly!
For we are His workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk
in them. (Eph. 2:10)
Before we were in a full time work, we attended a congregation blessed to have several young families within its membership. My attention was especially drawn to one of these young families. It was the preacher's family. The preacher and his wife had a two year old and an eight month old with another on the way. I noticed how frazzled she looked when she was at worship. One day I visited with her after services and asked how I could help. She looked at me as though I was from outer space. After more conversation she agreed to let me take care of the eight month old. She later told me that she was taught that children are the mother's responsibility alone because the husband has his own responsibilities and that she shouldn't expect help from anyone else. How sad.
It took just one lady to start the ball rolling. Others picked out someone that needed assistance and offered help. Do not be afraid to say "I need help"! This principle applies in numerous situations. The older sisters who have raised faithful children are a great source of information and assistance. A wonderful older sister, Martha Bentley, taught numerous women this marvelous way to check ourselves to see what we put first: "Are we guilty of using our leftovers to prepare a casserole of our lives for God? Do we dress it up with seasonings of self-satisfaction and grate over it the cheese of empty promises, then present it with a pious air of expectation that God will accept it? Who do we think is fooled."
