A Very Proud Wife

Sorry, no picture. I'm on a new laptop...coooool)

Tonight my husband accompanied me to an employee recognition banquet in honor of landmark years of service for the company I work for, mine being 25 years. We sat down, the two of us, at a table set for eight. Due in part to the fact that we enjoy each other’s company, but mostly this was due to my lack of adeptness in social situations and he let me pick our seats. I struggle with “mixing”, whereas my husband easily interacts with anyone and everyone. I chose to sit alone while he walked to the bar, coming back with a wealth of information and an amusing story about the lady who served him his Pepsi. (That’s one of the many things I love about him.)

Along came a young fellow and his girl and he asked if they may join us. I had begun to feel awkward, the two of us sitting at this large table in the crowded room, and I welcomed the intrusion into our solitude. They were an interesting couple. He, a fellow, indeed. He was three months into a year of service as a “fellow” in the area of mission integration at the health facility where I work. He holds a PhD and a background in theology and teaching. She was finishing up her doctorate in music with plans to teach college level music theory.

Soon enough, along came a man who worked for our corporate office. He was celebrating 10 years of service, was a CPA and, I’m almost certain, a PhD. His wife, a PhD in psychology, was a college professor.

They asked where I worked, seemed interested, and made polite conversation. Let it be said here and now that all four were very nice, and each quite charming in his/her own way. It was a very enjoyable evening.

As a group they were most happy to volunteer about their lives, their level of education, their parents’ level of education, and the successful state of being. I put my foot in my mouth only once (well, maybe twice), choosing for once to remain wisely silent and hope they didn’t catch on that I held only an associates degree at a once local business college, no longer in existence. In my mind, I might as well have sat chewing on a piece of straw between my gums I felt so out of place.

Strangely, yet probably not, in the lively conversation of the evening no one inquired about my husband’s line of business. I did at one juncture volunteer that he had once driven a bus. (I told you I was socially inept.) In fact, I was happy that no one asked as to the nature of his employment. He has the look and demeanor of a man used to being in front of a lot of people. I could only wish to have his confident bearing. Although I did suggest that he go for dress slacks and shirt instead of a suit and the other two men were dressed in suits. Still, he carries an air of confidence. I am surprised that no one inquired as to his line of business, and yet they obviously were much interested in other discussions of a more self directed nature. (Not to criticize, as I said, it was quite pleasant.)

I don’t want to be misunderstood here, but to a CPA/hospital finance professional, a college psychology professor, a musicalist and a missions integration fellow, each holding the highest levels of education, managing a convenience store might seem plain.

How could they understand? Would they understand how important he makes the elderly lady feel who calls the store before she leaves home because she knows my husband will pump her gas for her, or in his absence, has left instructions for his employees to do the same? Would they understand how important my husband makes the man feel finding his newspaper laid out and waiting for him on the counter each morning as he stops by the store on his way to work? Would they understand how important he makes his employees feel when he inquires as to their well-being under stressful situations? They would never understand the importance of sacrifices in his 20+ years as a pastor,caring more for the spiritual well-being of his parishioners than his own comfort. They would never understand how important he has been in the lives of two young girls who previously knew men only as the children of an emotionally abusive dad. There is so much that my husband is and that he gives in his walk through each day that builds up and encourages. It can’t be listed, documented or hung in a frame. It can only be felt by those in need of an encouragement or a smile, or just a friendly interlude in their day. Possibly the most important part of their day because they felt, if only for a moment in time, that someone cared and took the time to acknowledge them.

The bottom line is, my husband is the most successful person I know. I could be no more proud than to be his wife. A convenience store manager? Not a six-figure income and it doesn't hold the status of a PhD in a crowd. But that’s what he does…it is not what he is. Big difference. I was so proud of my husband tonight. I wanted to let our dinner companions know they shared the table with a great man. But I knew they wouldn't understand.

We all need to remember that it’s not what we do to earn our daily wage that is important. God will judge who we are, not how we earned our pay. It is what we are in Him that will make Him say “well done my child”. And in God’s economy, my husband is a very rich man.