I’m about to go in to my Dentist’s office for a routine cleaning and check up. I remember a few years back going in and the lady doing the cleaning was someone I had not met before. When she found out I was a retired pastor, she had several comments and questions about her Bible readings. Of course, she was asking those questions while she had her instruments in my mouth and I was unable to answer!

One of the things she mentioned was that she read a passage that spoke of some of the apostles being married and she said, “I guess I never really thought about them having wives and taking them along with them!” I think the passage she was referring to was 1 Corinthians 9:5  “Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?” While Paul was not married, he tells us that other apostles were, including Cephas (Simon Peter), which we know from the Gospel accounts as well.

While I am not comparing myself to the apostles, after a career as a full-time church worker, I could not imagine what that would have been like if I had not been married. Being single might have made scheduling easier, but I would have missed out on so much joy and happiness. God led me to a fantastic, wonderful, God-fearing wife and has blessed our union with children and grandchildren.

Just so you know, Cheryl knew what she was getting into. She was a preacher’s kid, too, and part of my proposal to her included the fact that I was planning to go to the seminary. And she still said yes!

God knew it would not be good for this man to be alone. To me, this is further evidence of His grace in my life. The same God who loved me enough to provide His Son to be my Savior cares enough to be involved in the details of my individual circumstances. His love and care and mercy continues to astound me.