It was during a Wednesday night episode of American Idol that Dorothy Jane took her first glimpse of this world.
This inaugural look was filled with the sights and sounds of a hospital delivery room nestled in the chilly suburbs of Chicago. Our home away from home that March day in 2011.
It came after eight hours of labor with little to no progress. It seems that Dot was in no hurry to make an appearance. Yet, as soon as we resigned to simply watch TV, she changed her mind. Within 30 minutes, there she was. Her dark hair and expressive eyes stealing the show from that year’s Top 10 finalists.
Included in those first glances were faces. Many of them.
You see, this wasn’t an intimate family affair … although that’s how I prefer my birthing experiences to be. I’m good with me, my husband Ted, and two or three medical professionals. Nope, this time we were also joined by a group of four nursing students. When they’d politely asked to witness Dorothy’s introductory taste of post-womb air, I replied, “Sure, why not?” Looking back, I think it may have been the epidural-induced euphoria answering.
Ten minutes after her birth, Dorothy struck up a conversation with her papa. Her side all in soft coos, the only language other than “whaa!” that she could articulate back then. Our American Idol show stopper was off to a talkative start.
Two days later, Ted was handed a pink slip.
Talk about a metaphorical rain on our parade of newborn joy.
It was the second time in less than 12 months. Blame it on reductions in force. On the economy. On poor person–job fit. Blame it on whatever you will. Regardless of the reasons behind it, this job loss suddenly clamored for the attention we longed to devote entirely to getting to know our littlest family member. Our focus was now divided between enjoying our newborn to thoughts of how will we feed the mouths of her and her sisters? Not to mention pay rent. And heat. Oh, yeah, and that mortgage on our unsold house a few states southwest of the Windy City. The one we’d put on the market four months earlier and had yet to sell.
It also left Ted broken. Here he was, a man with two master’s degrees, over 20 years of work experience, and a mad skill set. Yet suddenly he couldn’t seem to hold a job. He wondered just exactly when had he become such a loser.
But that’s where I came in. And you can bet I took my role seriously.
You see, I became a megaphone.
What do I mean by that?
Well, let’s break down the word “megaphone.” According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, “mega” comes from the Greek word megas which means “great,” while phone means “voice.” So a megaphone is a “great voice.”
In those weeks following Dorothy’s birth, I became a “great voice” of encouragement to Ted. When he felt like a failure, post-partum me reminded him he wasn’t. Not in my eyes, the eyes of his four little girls, or in those of our loving Father. Rather, he was a hardworking, loyal husband and papa who happened to hit a rough spot in his career. And this thing called a job — whether he had one or not at the moment — wasn’t emblematic of his identity and worth. Those were found in Christ alone.
Yep, that was me. His cheering section of one.
I believed in him when he couldn’t believe in himself. I fed him hope and courage when it seemed elusive. Not always perfectly. I had my Oscar the Grouch moments. But I think Ted would give me an “A” for overall effort.
Maybe your spouse — assuming we have a few husbands reading this also — has hit a rough season too. Maybe it’s unemployment like Ted, or perhaps it’s something else. Health issues. Grief. Finances. Stress. Whatever the source may be, it’s a time period when the odds don’t seem in his or her favor and discouragement is plentiful.
When it comes to your down-trodden spouse, you too can be a megaphone — or “great voice” — of biblical encouragement. You can cheer your spouse on so loudly and passionately and consistently with scriptural truth that you drown out the discouraging voices that whisper things like “loser.” Your life-giving words can inspire confidence and hope to well up in your spouse when it’s most needed.
You won’t always do it perfectly. I didn’t. You may even feel discouraged yourself at times. I know I did. But it will make a difference. At least it did for Ted.
Almost three years later, we’re no longer worried how we’ll feed the mouths of Dorothy and her sisters. Or pay the mortgage and heat. Thankfully, Ted has happily settled into a position that may be the best person–job fit for him yet. And while he doesn’t need as much encouragement as he did back then, that doesn’t mean my megaphone days are behind me.
After all, every season needs good cheer … even the pleasant ones.
Be encouraged!
Ashleigh
I definitely try to be a megaphone for my husband in a positive manner.This is such a great reminder that we are our spouses greatest cheerleaders.
Crystal, yay! I’m glad you are a fellow “megaphone”!
Thank you for this post, Ashleigh, it was a very timely one for me. I and my husband are going through the very thing right now.
I thank you for this encourage and blessing to you.
Peace to you.
Elissa, I’m sorry you are going through a similar situation. I pray encouragement and strength for you both as you wait to see God’s GOOD plans for you unfold.
Thank you for that! After an on the job injury my husband was handed his pink slip by a company we had both worked for faithfully for 13 years. His surgery has also left him unemployed for a year now. This necessitated a 1700 mile move so I could work and provide while he healed. He has defiantly been very discouraged, and I’ve learned to become his Warrior Wife. It has been an intense time of learning how very important my words are to him. Praying for him, and with him, and being his cheerleader is my greatest joy, and knowing that while I was training for my new position, he did the same for me. It has strengthened our marriage even more! After 17 years I still wake up every morning feeling like the most blessed and cherished woman on the planet!
Donna, your story encouraged me! I’m so sorry you all have gone through this, but I loved hearing how it has strengthened your marriage.
Thank you so much for this post! It’s awesome how God provides just what we need when we need it. Me and my husband are going through a rough patch right now. Financially, and emotionally. But I’m trying to remain faithful & positive while I see him overcome by frustration. Your post has encouraged me to not allow myself to be discouraged and to continue to be the megaphone my husband needs me to be right now. Thanks again for sharing. May God richly bless you!
Hi Angela. I’m sorry you and your husband are going through a rough patch right now. I’m glad my post encouraged you. May God bless you too!
What words would you say to him that brought the encouragement?
Great question! It varied, depending on how he was discouraged at the time. For example, if Ted applied for several jobs and didn’t get any of them, I said something like, “Well, God has the right job out there for you. We just have to be patient and keep looking.” I chose to affirm what Ted was doing right and doing well.
Lol as a child (#5 of 8) My parents often called me Megaphone Annie! But as a wife mother sister and friend I try myself to be such
Lori, what a fun childhood nickname!
You do have a male reader! My wife shared this post with me because we take turns being each other’s cheerleader. I wanted to thank you for the post. Far too often, it seems, marriage gets belittled and if you have a good marriage you must be one of the “lucky ones”. I’ve never thought of myself as lucky. In fact, I’m not even sure I appreciated my wife nearly enough for the first year, 5 years, 10 years? 21 years later I can’t imagine life without her. I’m thankful that God gave me such a wonderful wife and I pray I can be the husband she deserves. Again, thank you for this post and reminding us of the simple reality of just being there for each other.
Cliff, yay! It’s fun to “meet” one of those male readers. 🙂
Ashleigh, I am thankful to you for these words of reminder of what I know, but don’t always practice. My husband suffered a spinal cord injury leaving him a T-8 para 20 years ago. Our Lord has been good through those years, even allowing him to pastor for 11 years. About 4 1/2 years ago, however, his health started what would become a very long trek of poor health, multiple surgeries, and much discouragement, especially because his health has not allowed him to preach during that time.
Thank you for hearing what The Lord wanted to speak to my heart. I really have tried to encourage him through the years, but I am reminded and encouraged that I should be his constant and aggressive megaphone. I am recommitting to him and to The Lord to make a daily effort to accomplish it.
Beverly, I’m sorry for all you and your husband have walked through. I’m glad my post was able to encourage you at just the right time. Blessings to you!