Unique Opportunities of Serving as a Wife

"The hidden side of church history has been the part played behind the scenes by Christian women. Occasionaly the work fo outstanding single women has been better known, but for those married, and whose lives have been of strategic importance to the kingdom of God, it has generally been their husband's names that have come down to posterity. The work of the men was more public, more documented, and thus more available to the writers of history. The wives, without whom eminent men would not have been what they were, were content to remain little known or remembered."

~Iain H. Murray, Intro to Margaret Paton: Letters from the South Seas

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

~God's Promise: Matthew 6:1-4

Isn't it amazing that God, who needs nothing, would be the One to notice and reward service to those who are are both least likely to thank, and most needy!? (and if small children aren't needy, I don't know who is!)

"And whatever you do, in word of deed, do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. [...] Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the Inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (wow!)

~More promises: Colossians 3:17 & 23-24

"...God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for His sake in serving the saints, as you still do."

~Still more promises: Hebrews 6:10

"She [Jessie Inglis, missionary to the New Hebrides, late 1800s] was always kept so busy making history that she had no time to write it...She never thought of herself but as an ordinary woman doing an ordinary woman's work." --John Inglis, of his wife

"Next to the support Margaret Paton gave to her husband, her greatest service lay in the nurturing of the children which she gave to the world. The cause of seeking missionaries began in the Patons' own home, and they were honored by Christ in the calling of all their four children to the work of the Gospel. " I think this next part is quite my life goal:

"Her influence over her children was deep and permanent. There was in her nature a rare combination of saintliness and humanness, that made the Christian life very real and winsome to all with whom she came into touch. her life was, in her own words, 'a pure white-heart of love for her children.'" ~Francis H. L. Paton, of his mother

(all quotes from aforesaid Introduction)

Some principles and thought-habits I am trying to cultivate as I prepare to build by own home, because I know that "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish woman tears hers down. (Proverbs 14:1--yikes!). I'm enjoying and benefitting from Margaret Paton's example and words. She's very real-- funny at times, and always honest. What a woman! Look her up! :)

--Christina, very happy in Louisville