Standing Proudly By Her Man

Looking for parts for a generator for our bus, we drove today to Houston to a diesel engine dealer. My husband had found a deal on an engine he hopes to make into a diesel generator on Ebay, and wanted to come down to test it before buying.

Deep down in the shadow of the Houston skyscrapers, we drove past a homeless man pushing a grocery cart laden with bags down the middle of the street as we wound our way to the man’s business. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a friendly young man in his late 20’s, who eagerly showed us around his large but dirty shop, proudly showing his many diesel engines, parts, and things that most would call junk. Within moments, my guys were embroiled in a technical conversation about various what-nots to be found laying around on the property.

The owner of this business was the most interesting person to talk to. He had been a software engineer until about a year ago, when he decided to combine his dream of starting his own business with his love of mechanics. Being the visionary that he is, he bought this huge empty warehouse, made a section of it into an apartment for him and his young wife, and began dealing in various forms of diesel motors.

Of course, at sometime during the bargaining process, my little boy developed quite a need for the bathroom. Thankfully, the bathroom available was not just a “workers’ bathroom,” if you know what I mean, but it was thankfully in the man’s apartment. I was definitely curious to see if I could talk to his wife for a few minutes.

Though she was 8 months pregnant with their first child and had to extricate herself from the comfy sofa, his wife was happy to let us come into her home. “Oh, come in!” she said. I sheepishly thanked her for letting us come use her facilities, and quickly directed my little ones to the necessary room.

When we went out, I quickly glanced around, taking in the sparseness of the apartment. It was pretty cold, too, and it had a huge ceiling that was letting out gobs of warm air. The kitchen had the bare essentials, and the sofa looked a bit lonely in the living area.

It occurred to me that most women would not put up with such a “crazy” career change, especially if it meant a bit of “biting the bullet. But this young lady was not only flexable about her surroundings, but seemed to enjoy them. She was content with what her man was doing. After talking with her a little, I discovered that she had left all her family in Mexico to come to America. She had a pioneer spirit – willing to take some hardships in order to accomplish a goal. She is content and happy to stand by her man while he steps out to follow his dream. She knows she cannot fit her husband into her mold. She wisely gets behind him as he leads the family into unknown territory.

She is the driving force behind his dreams.

As the wife of a visionary, I can spot another visionary husband from a mile away. I also can easily sense irritation and resentment in his wife. I know what is going on in her mind, since I have been down the same path. I have discovered in my brief time of marriage that my man may have some “strange” ideas, and may not do things the way other men do, but God has made him to be different. God has made the visionaries to me the movers and shakers of the world. And when he lights upon success, the supportive wife can stand smiling beside her husband while others hail his ingenuity. The wife who desires to put her visionary man into another mold may find herself alone before he meets with success.

This dear woman was standing by her visionary husband, even though it meant living in unusual situations.

Stand by your man, young lady, and you will someday be proudly standing by him when he is one of the most successful businessmen in Houston.