It is not the habit of folk in the United Church of Christ to talk about saints, to offer special feast days or to reverence saints in any special manner, other than as a firm belief in the sainthood of all believers, yet today I am making an exception. Today marks my 38th Anniversary of being married to Saint Nancy (Norton) Wagner of Marissa and there are a few things which need to be acknowledged: When we were married on August 14, 1976 St. Nancy thought herself to be marrying a farmer who was reasonably financially sound. Little did she (or that farmer) know that God was going to call him into ministry some years later . . . or that paying for the 7 years of schooling necessary for ordination would drive them deeply into debt. St. Nancy didnt receive the call, I did. Still, she stayed with me, not as one martyred for the faith, but as one who understands the course of love isnt always a straight line from beginning to end. In the course of our years together St. Nancy has performed many, many miracles, not the least of which was birthing three incredible sons and by extension, as of today, 4 amazing grandchildren, raising them to value faith, family and home, and teaching them the wonder of a world whose Creator is creating still. St. Nancys miracles also include multiplication of the loaves and fishes in feeding a family with the loose change garnered from between the sofa cushions and behind the dresser. She has healed wounds, stopped uncontrollable weeping, insisted on sharing the abundance of our poverty with those who have had even less, and extended the warmth of our home to those who needed a place for shelter . . . all in addition to being a teacher who opens the minds of children to the imagination and power of God all around them, treating her classroom students with the respect and dignity due those who are equally children of God. St. Nancy has borne up under the weight of moving from a beautiful, quiet rural farmstead to government housing while I was in school . . . then, for the last 26 years, has withstood the test of dwelling in the fishbowl of pastoral ministry in two parish settings (parsonages might just as well be made of glass, so closely do many watch what you do and listen to what you say . . .) She has embraced the servant ministry of becoming a Vacation Bible School teacher, a Sunday School teacher, a leader in the Womens Fellowship, a member of the church choir and bell choir, a parental presence in each of our sons activities throughout their grade school and high school careers then, not content to stop there, carried on such support well into their college years. St. Nancy has stood at the door of our home to answer the strangers knock and request for assistance, has tucked our children into their beds when my meetings and hospital calls kept me away for many long hours, and mediated disputes both at home and at the church with the candor and care worthy any international ambassador. And . . . St. Nancy isnt done. No shes not. St. Nancy continues to be a leader among her professional peers, a collaborator in our faith community, and an invested and deeply loyal friend to all those who are willing to share the journey with her. She sees the world and our universe for the majesty it offers all creation, not as an entitlement to be used and discarded and, to that end, is active in environmental stewardship, gardening (with accompanying canning and freezing) and advocacy for those who need a hand up. But, more than any of this . . . from my point of view anyway, St. Nancy is a gift of God to me. She is my best friend, my lover, my confidant, my soul mate, my protector, my shield, my focus . . . and she blesses me more and more each day of our lives together. St. Nancy reflects the Presence of God in her heart and demonstrates the miracle of the Spirit at work in her soul. So it is that on this day I celebrate the gift of God among us known as St. Nancy (Norton) Wagner. I know that this isn’t in the tradition of folk in the United Church of Christ, yet St. Nancy has proven herself worthy an exception to the tradition – and I pray her joy, happiness, faith, wonder and love on this feast day of remembrance, recognition and celebration. St. Nancy has endured 38 years married to me . . . and I will forever be grateful for every moment we share. Truly, I am the one most blessed. Happy Anniversary, Nancy! I love you . . . and always will.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 16:42:55 +0000
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