Editor’s Note: This writer approached me recently concerning her desire to spend time in the presence of seasoned Christians in order to glean their wisdom and to put these interactions into article form for Christian Ladies Fellowship. This is the sixth of several interviews that she has written with the intent to help and motivate a younger generation of Christian ladies to examine how much more of their lives can they give to God. I know each reader will be encouraged through these unique interviews by Abigail Medford.
An Interview with Barbara Simpson
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives. – I Peter 3:1
Much has been said and written to women about the importance of our conversations. The word “conversation” has two common meanings. The first and most often used today refers to a verbal exchange between two or more people. The second meaning and most often used in the Bible refers to our manner of life. Today, I want to tell you the story of Mrs. Barbara Simpson, an inspiring lady in our church, and how God has used her conversations to affect the lives of a countless multitude of people.
Our story begins about forty years ago when some Baptist Navy wives stationed in Puerto Rico asked their friend, Barbara Simpson, a simple question, “Did you get saved?”
Barbara Simpson, although having been raised Methodist, was taken aback. “Saved? What’s that?”
After her friends explained the gospel to her, she accepted Christ and was eager to grow in her Christian faith and find a good church for her family. Her opportunity came when her husband was transferred to Florida in 1981. Without success, she tried a few Methodist churches in the area, then settled on Clay Baptist Temple (now Immanuel Baptist Church). Her two young daughters were saved quickly thereafter, and they joined the church together. Mrs. Simpson’s attention then turned to the other members of her family. Sadly, her husband would resist the gospel, but Mrs. Simpson was able to lead her mother-in-law and both her parents to Christ. Now, her eight grandchildren are saved as well (two are serving as youth pastors), and she has the comfort that her two great grandchildren and any more that will follow will be brought up in homes with a Christian influence. That simple conversation between Navy wives in Puerto Rico has gone on to bear much fruit.
Mrs. Simpson did not stop her soulwinning efforts with just her family. She joined in the soulwinning ministries at church as well. During our conversation, she confessed that she never felt that she became a great soulwinner because she always gets too nervous. She explained she just desperately wants everyone to whom she speaks to get saved, but she has been able to lead many to the Lord. Most memorable in her mind was another Navy wife, Linda Paquay, who she met during door-to-door witnessing. Linda invited Barbara inside her home and listened eagerly. She was saved, then brought her husband and two-year-old daughter to church. Linda Paquay became an incredibly active soulwinner, famous for her confidence and courage in sharing the gospel. For many years, she was the soulwinning partner of the pastor’s wife’, and together, they led countless souls to the saving knowledge of Christ. Without a doubt, there were now many people without the word who had been won by the conversation of the wives.
Barbara Simpson is still an incredible witness for Christ today. While no longer able to go door-to-door soulwinning, she passes out tracts and shares the gospel as often as she can. It is undeniable that she has remained dedicated to the Lord. A few reasons for her continued faithfulness can be found in her conversation, that is, her way of life.
She has remained humble.
Though she has now been saved for many decades, Mrs. Simpson still seeks wisdom and counsel from God and her pastor. She has never felt that she has “arrived” in her Christian life. She mentioned that she still has questions when she reads her Bible and will take them to her pastor so she can understand better. She has a sincere desire to continue to learn and a great love for her church and church family.
She is willing to take a stand.
Soon after she joined Clay Baptist Temple, Mrs. Simpson felt that her daughters needed to attend the Christian school there. Her husband was unsupportive because, as he said, “I moved you to the best school district in Florida!” Undeterred, Mrs. Simpson took on extra jobs to pay for her daughters’ tuition herself. She had heard their tales of drugs and other vices at their public middle school and wanted her innocent daughters safely away from that environment. During their teenage years, she was sometimes the only one in her household that wanted them to stay in Christian school, but she remained firm. Her daughters both graduated from Christian school and went on to Bible college. Now, with all of her grandchildren saved, she knows that her stand was worth it.
She guarded against a root of bitterness.
Mrs. Simpson said that early on she learned the lesson to not get upset with anything that happened at school or church because she did not want offense to turn into anger and then that anger turn into bitterness. She tries her hardest to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, knowing that everyone has bad days. She guarded against any friends who were bitter because, sooner or later, she knew those friends would leave the things of God. She especially guarded against letting her daughters see that something bothered her, not wanting a moment of weakness to allow her daughters to become bitter.
In conclusion, I want to share a Bible passage particularly beloved by Barbara Simpson, John 14:1-3 says, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Someday, Barbara Simpson will pass on to Heaven to see the mansion prepared for her. Linda Paquay will be waiting for her, having made her heavenly journey many years before. Barbara will also see again the Navy wives who shared the gospel message with her. Only then will the full story of the impact of their conversations be known.
Christian lady, after reading the testimony of Mrs. Barbara Simpson, you too are part of this conversation. Will you be faithful, as they were, to allow your conversation to spread the gospel message?
by Abigail Medford
