Shelia Fay: The Preacher's Wife: a poem For Mom 05/25/2013

Shelia Fay: The Preacher's Wife: A Poem For Mom 05/25/2013: For Shelia on her Birthday. (5/25/2013) The Preacher’s Wife Seldom do we pause, to contemplate the life, Of the quiet joyful spiri...

The Preacher's Wife: For Mom 05/25/2013

For Shelia on her Birthday. (5/25/2013)

The Preacher’s Wife

Seldom do we pause, to contemplate the life,

Of the quiet joyful spirit of the country preacher's wife.

So much is seen and lauded of the man who wears the title.

But what of the preacher's wife?

 Do we think her mind is idle?

Whether she be worn or grieving,

 she enters through the doors.

Because she truly cares for you

 and truly loves the Lord.

She will be a first arriver

 and linger hours long.

Long after closing prayer,

 and last dismissal song.

But what do we know of HER,

 the one who’s always there.

The one who listens to my woes

without a judging air.

Do we know her heart is weary? 

 All eyes watching her to see.

Will she suffer long? 

Will she faithful be?

She is watched as a young mother, 

will she in anger raise a hand?

Or will she lovingly, but firmly,

 direct them to her command.

She is watched as a wife, will she ever tear him down?

Or will she be the silent partner and support him all around?

See no one stops to think 

of all the burdens she may bear.

She is his sole confidant.  

To only her his secrets share.

He knows that he can trust her, 

to listen and not debate.

Though she may see it different,

 her thoughts will simply wait.

She hears his disappointment

 when his sermons fail to strike.

When hearts are hard or indifferent

 and they continue as they like.

And when a soul is lost eternal,

 he's called to comfort, when comfort can't be found.

She sees his private weeping, 

and holds him close without a sound.

She happy takes the younger ones and loves them as her own.

She cries with them when hearts are broken; 

when they're feeling all alone.

She reminds them that God still loves them

 no matter how far they stray.

She vows to keep their secret, hold 

their hand and with them pray.

She stands beside her husband 

when The Family tears apart.

They leave to worship elsewhere.

 It almost breaks her heart.

And do not think that she, too, 

would love to worship there.

To sit with anonymity 

and fill her cup that's bare.

But that is not a choice for her and it will never be.

She made a promise when but a child,

 and from it she'll never flee.

How many souls did she attend as they made their flight to glory.

Hours, days she'd sit with them as they sang their final story.

She would pray with them, sing to them

 and talk of Heaven's bliss.

And when they drew their last breath,

 she would their forehead kiss.

Throughout her life she taught us

 there is someone greater than Self in life.

The greatest lesson came not from the preacher,

      but from the preacher's wife.

Angela Harvey

Blessed Daughter of that Country Preacher’s Wife