Recently, a group of men, including my Husband, were installed as either stewards or deacons of our Church.  This process took us by surprise, as my Husband was nominated by the Church body for this role without knowing.  As the hard-working Dad of eight children, whom we homeschool, some may say he has quite a bit on his plate and doesn’t need anything more.

Well, my Husband was moved to serve the Lord in this capacity, saying he was in no position to tell God, no.  While I looked upon this as an honorable role for him to take on, I soon realized that, like most things, it would require some support from me.

What is the wife’s response when her Husband is called to serve?

Her response should be: How can I help?

Ultimately, the wife should come alongside her husband to give him the support he would need to be successful.

And the Lord God said, 

“It is not good that man should be alone; 

I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

Genesis 2:18

A wife is a suitable, fitting helper for her husband–she is just right.  There’s no one like us, ladies; no one else can fill this role.  And, by the way, helping our husbands isn’t some demeaning, substandard role.  The word helper in this verse is the same used to describe God throughout the Bible when He comes to our aid to deliver us by His mighty hand. In fact, the sweet Holy Spirit is referred to as Helper (Jn. 14:15-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-8).  What’s the take-away? This role of help and aid is so important that it is vital, not just for the husband’s sake, but for the health of the marriage.

How should the wife’s character reflect the help she offers her husband?

She should be reverent in her behavior. 

Service

During my Husband’s training for this role, he was discipled in the Biblical qualifications a man would need to successfully serve, according to 1 Timothy 3:8-13. And nestled in the middle of this passage is the character and duty of his wife.  Each husband’s wife was asked to attend a session specifically dedicated to being the wife of one called to serve in the church.

Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, 

not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 

holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.

But let these also first be tested;

then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.

Likewise, their wives must be reverent,

not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

Let deacons be the husbands of one wife,

 ruling their children and their own houses well.  

For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves

 a good standing and great boldness in the faith 

which is in Christ Jesus. 

1 Timothy 3:8-11

A wife’s character must reflect a deep and abiding respect for God, His Church, and her husband.  She is a godly woman who seasons her tongue with grace and kindness, pays attention to her household and seeks her husband’s well-being. She is dedicated to living a godly life and assists her husband in his work (Proverbs 31).

Practical Application

At the end of the day a wife’s response is critical.  We can pray for our husbands, that God would strengthen them  both physically and spiritually for what they’ve been called to.  We can make sure things are running smoothly at home, particularly on days there are duties to carry out.  Any sensitive topics he brings to her concerning himself or another will be confidently kept by the wife for the purpose of counsel and prayer.

I am grateful for my husband who is willing to serve the Lord in this capacity.  I pray that I can help him fulfill this role for His Name’s sake.

Ladies, do you homeschool and support your husband in ministry? How do you support him and keep balance in the home?