Thank God for the Pastor’s Wife: A Song for the Angels of the Manse

No, this is not a self-portrait. But it does remind me of the timelessness and catholicity of the faithful pastor’s wife. As the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation approaches, there has been no reform with greater impact than the Scriptural blessing of clergy being able to marry. Thank God for the daughters of Katharina von Bora, Mrs. Luther.

I composed and recorded a song dedicated to my wife. Since 2007, the song has been of some comfort and encouragement to others. We share it here with the words to bring blessing to those special women who follow in the footsteps of Sarah and who serve God, their family, and the Bride of Christ in a most wonderful way. My wife was once asked by a pulpit committee, “What is your role?” She responded with words that I had heard her repeat to others: “I take care of the pastor so that he can take care of you.” And there is so much in that one statement. This is a song to try and express the admiration, love, and eternal gratitude that I and other pastors have for the indescribable gift of love and life. Thus, “Thank God for the Pastor’s Wife.”

Thank God for the Pastor’s Wife

Words and Music © 2007 Michael Anthony Milton

You didn’t know

The places you’d go

On the day when you said “I do”

And you’ve traveled far

To be the person you are

But leaving is so hard to do

Yes leaving is so hard to do

But with grace and with poise

You’ve withstood the noise

Of the wounded who cry at your door

Seeking your husband

To help them find God

It seems like there’s always one more

If there’s crowns on that day and I have my say

I’ll plead that the Lord gives you mine

For when people heard me

What they couldn’t see

Was the deepest part of my life

“Thank God for the pastor’s wife”

When I heard the call

You caught it all

The moving, the setting up new

When your husband “hears voices”

There’s few other choices

But to pray that He’s hearing aright

And you walked by faith and not sight

So many times you’ve suffered in silence

When some used your husband in vain

And few know the costs of following God

In the desert, in the night, in the rain

Covered dishes and circles and smiling through pain

For others see a pastor, a prophet and priest

But you see a husband, a dad

S the Lord heals you secretly and gives you the grace

And I’ve seen you laugh in the night at the bad

So I wrote this song

And I won’t be long

Though you deserve so much more

“Cause people can talk but you’ve walked the walk

You faithfully stood by the door

And nudged me to preach once more