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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Lifeguard (11/09/06)
About four years ago, my husband received a call from a pastor of a church not too far from us. He wanted him to come preach for a youth meeting they were having. My husband accepted and we all loaded up on the appointed Sunday, and went with him to this small church in the middle of nowhere.

As we drove up in the parking lot, we saw a large sign hanging over the door that requested that ladies only wear dresses inside the sanctuary. I had on a dress and my daughter had on a dress, but I was still offended. Had they not heard the phrase, “I catch ‘em, He cleans ‘em”? Evidently they had not heard it.

They seemed friendly enough and the service went just fine. We left there that day thinking that we would never see those folks again, and to be perfectly honest, I was totally okay with that.

A few weeks later, my husband got a call from that same preacher. He told my husband that he had resigned the church and that he had recommended him to the pulpit committee. I was sitting in the room with my husband when he took the call. I didn’t know what was being said on the other end at the time, but I could tell by the look on his face that something big was happening.

We went to that church again the next Sunday and my husband preached the Sunday morning and Sunday night services. The head deacon in the church called him the next week to talk to him about his beliefs and to tell him that the church really liked him and wanted to vote him in as pastor.

I was perfectly happy at the church we were in at the time. I was perfectly happy with the job that we had there as Youth Directors. I was perfectly happy with life up until my husband told me that he knew that he was being called to the church by God.

My spirit began to sink. My faith began to waiver. How could God call my husband to the little church with the big sign? Surely, this could not be happening.

I began swimming against the waves. I began to get tired, and I started sinking. I cried out to God, I cried out to anyone who would listen. You see, I was a Christian. I trusted God. I thought I would do whatever He wanted me to do. But, when I was put into a position that I was not comfortable with, that trust was put to the test.

My husband finally took me by the hand, and he was pulling me towards safety. My job was to be still and know that he was doing what the Lord wanted Him to do. I could not fight him. I had to let him bring me to shore. Then when he got me there, he was able to make me see the enormity of our task. We would have to work together. I would have to submit to him. I would also have to submit to Him.

The last four years have been an uphill battle, but we are seeing the Lord’s blessings on our little church. We never would have made it though, had my husband not kept me from sinking. He has always stood firm on his beliefs and has never stood down when it came to defending his faith. I am thankful for him. He had been my lifeguard.

Oh, and by the way, in case you were wondering, the sign did come down. Praise the Lord.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Phyllis Inniss 
11/18/06
NIce article. I seem to remember something in the Bible about wives being submissive to their husbands as he is the head of the household. The Lord helped you to see the way, not the sign which was blinding to you from seeing greater things, like what your husband could do for the Church.
Shari Armstrong 
11/18/06
Great article. I think God brought you there so YOU could take down that sign. I would have been put off by it as well (I grew up having to wear dresses to church, but finally convinced Mom it wasn't a requirement -but I tend to wear both now, anyway...)

I loved the imagery of feeling like you were drowning and how you had to rely on your husband (and God) to pull you up.
Esther Phillips
11/19/06
Interesting how you weaved the subject of lifeguard being your husband. I would have preferred if your last sentence would have kept your husband in the present tense. You state that you are happy but then you say he had been your lifeguard. I suspect he still is. Great job.
Marilee Alvey
11/21/06
A delightful story. I always say that, so often, we go kicking and screaming toward our greatest good. I liked the analogy of your husband being like a lifeguard, tenderly leading you in to shore, even while you're panicked and can't find your way. That's how it is, sometimes. It's funny how being submissive is so much easier with a compassionate leader like your husband. Great job...and best of luck in that little church!