This is a motivating post that should cause us to ask ourselves, “AM I an inspiration to my husband….through good times and bad?”
The Wife Desired by Father Leo J. Kinsella, 1950’s
John was dead tired as he left work for home late one Monday afternoon. His physical fatigue partly accounted for his low spirits. He felt that he was on an economic treadmill. He was getting nowhere.
Married five years he and Aeleen and the two little ones were still cooped up in a miserable little four room birth control trap of a flat. And worst of all they had saved pitifully little for their own home It was not like John to quit.
John was not giving up this particular Monday night either. Yet he was worried about the future. He did not seem to be getting anywhere. He had cast about in his mind for some solution till he was in a mental whirl.
Should he look for a part time job on the side? Should he quit his job, take the plunge, and go in with Joe Burns on that gas station? He hated to vex Aeleen with these problems. She had the housework and the children. His was the responsibility of decision.
As he reached for the kitchen door knob, he paused. A dark cloud passed over his face. Aeleen had no bargain in him. She was the beauty of her whole school. Intelligent and bubbling over with personality she could have done much better.
As the door swung open, Aeleen was wiping a bit of spilled milk from the floor. One knee was on the floor; the other balanced Michael, the culprit whose mess she was cleaning up.
Her face came up to meet John’s. It was all smiling. The hug and the kiss told him that no one else in all this world was as welcome to step through that kitchen door. She noticed that he held her just a little longer than usual. “He needs me this evening more than ever.” she sensed. “And what a comfy feeling to know one is needed.”
That evening Aeleen fulfilled with colors flying the greatest function of a wife. She was his inspiration. She quickly drove the black devils of defeatism from his troubled mind. Before bedtime he was ready like Cyrano de Bergerac, to fight giants. Her confidence in him was complete, not that she did not have to chase out disturbing doubts now and then about his capacities.
She was much in love with John and knew his love. This mutual love made it easier for her to discipline her mind, so that her whole being evidenced her assurance in him. Come what might John was her man and he was the best in the world for her.
Thoughts constant and deep have a way of manifesting themselves especially to one spiritually tuned in to the thinker. Aeleen’s faith, quietly evidenced in her husband, renewed his courage. He would not fail her. Aeleen was God’s manifestation to him of all that was good and beautiful. Like David, the psalmist, he felt that, if Aeleen was with him, who was against him?
Aeleen made him conscious that he was the greatest man in the world for her money. There was no pretense in Aeleen’s admiration for John. She loved him deeply. He was her sunshine and the light blinded her from seeing anyone else.
It was no effort for her to stifle within her soul any invidious comparisons between John and other husbands seemingly more successful. On the surface, the husbands of some of her acquaintances might be more successful.
Some of them obviously commanded much more income. “So what?” fought back Aeleen within herself. “It takes more than that to make a husband. John may not be on fire, nor the most gifted person, but take him for what he is, all in all, he is a man.”
From this brief little picture of Aeleen and John, it is obvious that the ideal wife is much more than a companion, a good housekeeper, a good cook, and a good mother. She is an inspiration. Unless she is this to her husband there is danger that all the other fine aspects of her role as wife will be wasted in final failure.
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“Think of the Queen of Heaven as a humble housewife at the same time that she is mother and caretaker of God’s Son. It makes me sigh with tenderness, fills me with goodwill and love for the small and great chores of the home. How fragrant would be the robes that this pure lily washed. How tasty would be the food her delicate hands prepared. From her holy lips, not a whisper, no complaint or claim, only praise and sweet words. A life of worship and continuous obedience, in the freedom of those who choose to love – were she to kneel in prayer or clean the floor.” -Veronica Mendes, A Mulher Forte
Chapter II: The Home Virtues (Continued) — Hospitality, Holiness, And Innocence Of Conversation.
Chapter III: How The Poor Han’s Home Can Be Made Rich And Bright And Delightful By A True Woman’s Industry.
Chapter IV: How Husband And Wife Together Make A Happy Home.
Chapter V: The Wife In The Christian Home.
Chapter VI: Duties Of The Wife As The Dispenser Of The Home Treasures.
Chapter VII: The Wife’s Crowning Duty— Fidelity.
Chapter VIII: The Mother.
Chapter IX: The Mother’s Office Towards Childhood.
Chapter X: The Boys And Girls In The Labourer’s Home.
Chapter XI: How Mothers Should Train Their Boys And Girls (Continued).
Chapter XII: The Mother’s Office Towards Boyhood And Girlhood. Culture Of The Heart — (Continued).
Chapter XIII: Special Training For Girls And For Boys.
Chapter XIV: Duties Of The Mistress Of The Home Towards Her Parents And Her Servants.
Chapter XV: The Ideal Home.
Chapter XVI: The Mistress Of The Home And Her Social Duties.
Chapter XVII: Girlhood Of The Virgin Mother The Model Of Maidenhood.
Chapter XVIII: The Divine Comforts Of Poverty And Toil.
True Men as We Need Them ~ Fr. Bernard O’Reilly
Excerpt from True Men as We Need Them: A Book of Instruction for Men in the World
The hearty welcome given by the public to the Mirror of True Womanhood, encourages the author to send forth this volume as a companion to it. The same plan, so far as the subject-matter would permit, has been followed in both.
Much of the utility as well as of the success of the present work will depend on those who have so generously patronized its predecessor, – the True Women of America. Coming from their hand to husband, son, or brother, the book will prove acceptable and most precious. Its lessons too must derive much of their power to please and to in struct from the eloquent advocacy of the wives and mothers to whom we must owe the true men of the future.
Renewing his sincere thanks to publisher, printer, and engraver, for their zealous and kindly cooperation, the author now leaves his work to the judgment of the public, and beseeches on its readers the blessing of Him who is Himself both Very God and True Man, – the ever-blessed Model of all true nobility of life.
This is so true. Husbands need much love, respect and encouragement from their wives. Build them up!
Inspiration, I sincerely hope my sweetie gets this from me. I have seen others fail, and I don’t want to be one. Thank you for this post. 😌
I love the video of Fr. Wolfe’s homily on The Good Shepherd. Such wonderful homilies he always gave/gives. I can recall several of his homilies that were “steeped in sheep”. I sure miss him, he used to be our pastor in KCK. I always thought it was funny, though, that his family, the Wolfes, were sheepherders. Isn’t life ironic.
Father Wolfe’s sermons are treasures!