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THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER VOLUME 5, NUMBER 31, AUGUST 7, 2005 AN ELDER’S WIFE Vital to the smooth operation of any local establishment of the Lord’s church is a devoted person who has no title, holds no office, and has no authority save that of an ordinary Christian. Yet this person holds the power to disrupt or to expedite the most carefully laid plans and the most important works of the church. This quiet, but influential, person is an elder’s wife. Elders’ wives come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and textures. She can usually be found long after services are over, sitting in a parked car by herself – waiting - or in an unheated auditorium after the crowd had gone – waiting. She gets a lot of Bible reading done this way, and she knows where all the songs are in the hymn book. She knows the loneliness of long evenings at home while her husband is out trying to correct other people’s troubles. She is alone because her children are usually old enough to be occupied with their own pursuits, if they have not left home altogether. So she occupies her time with busy work - and waits. An elder’s wife must be as staunch as a rock, as busy as a beaver, as quiet as a mouse, as biblically informed as a preacher, as flexible as a rubber band, and as patient as a mother of triplets. She must know how to change her plans without notice, how to keep a meal hot and tasty for two hours after it was ready to serve, how to hold her temper – and her tongue – when people criticize her husband, and, most of all, how to use time profitably while she waits for her husband to get out of a prolonged conference. Hers is the frustration of knowing little and being able to tell even less, when people expect her to know all and tell it. She knows the heartache of watching her man wrestling with a problem not of his own making and which he cannot discuss – even with her. Hers is the responsibility of setting an example of faithful Christian wifeliness, not because anyone wants or intends to follow it, but simply because her husband is an elder. --Author Unknown, Via The Pecan Valley Proclaimer AN ADDENDUM In my years as a Christian and an evangelist I have met some incredible people, folks who have blessed my life in immeasurable ways. Some of the most outstanding have been elders’ wives. Do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that every elder’s wife that I have met has been an outstanding Christian. I have known elders’ wives who, quite frankly, should have disqualified their husbands from serving in that position. I have known some who were unkind and bitter, some who could not and would not keep their mouths shut, and some who failed to show hospitality in any way. Thankfully, the bad ones have not proven to be the majority. I want to tell you about Sister Miller, an elder’s wife from my years in Indianapolis who has since finished her race here on earth. She was the most hospitable woman I believe that I have ever met. Her home was open and warm, a place where people were always welcome and a place where people wanted to go. It was as if her heart was so big that she had to have people to share her love with or she would just burst. I never heard Sister Miller say a bad word about anybody – and as an elder’s wife she sure could have. Elders tend to get attacked from time to time and it is difficult for elders’ wives to hold their tongues, but Sister Miller had learned how to do it. Anything that she knew by virtue of being the wife of an elder, she kept completely to herself. By the way, most elders do not discuss the private matters with which they are dealing with their wives. Sometimes, however, the burden can become so heavy that an elder needs a comforting outlet to express his feelings and to receive some encouragement. It is essential that the elders’ wives prove faithful in that function and serve as that outlet. Sister Miller was a wonderful mother and grandmother. To see her with her grandchildren around her was to see an expression of pure joy. But what was really heartwarming, was to see that same expression on her face when she was surrounded by anybody’s children or grandchildren. Vicky always said she wanted to grow up and be like Sister Miller. I believe that she has. It has been well over 20 years since I worshipped and worked at the same congregation with Sister Miller, yet her influence on my life continues to this day. I thank the Lord that I had the privilege of knowing Sister Miller. When you remember our elders in your prayers, and do remember our elders in your prayers, remember their wives as well. Tear-stained pillowcases come with the job.
Greg Litmer THE WORD OF GOD For feelings come
and feelings go, -unknown, Via The Voice Of West End
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