Faithful in the Mundane

Sarah Edwards lived in the early 1700's - she was beautiful, educated and polished- the daughter of one of the most distinguished families in Connecticut. She was the wife of Jonathan Edwards who was a brilliant theologian and one of America's greatest thinkers.

Her life is an example to me of faithfulness in her roles as a pastor's wife, a mother of many children and a skillful, competent manager of her home.

Favorite quote from the book:

" While she uniformly paid a becoming deference to her husband and treated him with entire respect, she spared no pains in conforming to his inclination and rendering everything in the family agreeable and pleasant; accounting it her greatest glory and there wherein she could best serve God and her generation, to be the means in this way of promoting his usefulness and happiness."

Sarah's life was shaped by her husband's calling. She understood that by serving her husband and "promoting his happiness and usefulness" she was contributing to his success and the spreading of the gospel to her generation.

Because of Jonathan's long hours in study and ministry, the keeping of the home and raising the children fell mostly on her shoulders. Keeping home was a lot tougher in the 18th century than it is now.

Because of Sarah's relationship with God, she understood and relished her role and filled it gladly - drawing on the strength of the Holy Spirit in her day to day tasks and in her day to day relationships.