so here’s to Katie

Posted on by wally metts

An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
Proverbs 31:10-11 ESV

Todd claims his wife told him women were like a fine wine, while men are like fresh produce. As they age, women get better and men get soft and lumpy.

I’m unwilling to accept this. The part about the men, that is. I’m not lumpy yet.

But as for my wife, who turns 60 today, I like her better. And I love her more. She is certainly fine, and I’m intoxicated by her love.

But before you scold me, she doesn’t have any hang-ups about my revealing her age. In a couple of years I will go kicking and screaming into my seventh decade. But Katie accepts aging with calm serenity. And her matter-of-fact approach to the stages of our lives is a much-needed antidote to my growing list of unfulfilled dreams.

But enough about me. Let me tell you about this remarkable woman, who in the 40+ years I’ve known her has been a channel of God’s grace in my life, and in whom, as Proverbs says, I can safely trust.

I can trust her to keep secrets. I can trust her to tell the truth. I can trust her to caution me when I need caution and encourage me when I need encouragement.

More than that, I can expect a cup of tea while we talk about God’s mercy and sovereignty each morning over a dose of Spurgeon. I can expect a decent meal and an ironed shirt. (She actually likes to iron.)

And the food is getting better. She has started making her own stock for soup and freely serves the ten to twenty people who flow though our home each week.

She has her own business and keeps up with clients, providing a level of care and counsel about wellness issues that is personal and thoughtful, while pushing herself to learn new skills and face new challenges. “She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night (Proverbs 31:18 ESV).”

And, as any wise grandmother should, she is learning to wait and pray for her children before she intervenes or interferes. It is not a common skill, or even an easy one. But waiting to be asked is better than wanting to be heard. She understands this.

What she doesn’t understand is why my heart still beats faster when I see her. Seeing her from the platform or finding her in a store or glancing at her across the room is still a source of constant delight, and every year it gets better.

And while she won’t mind my sharing her age, she will mind me writing about her at all. Where I may thrive on attention, she usually thrives on anonymity.

She is as modest as she is lovely, and completely unassuming about all the Lord has taught her. He has certainly gifted her: as a willing servant, a faithful teacher, a chaste woman and a godly friend. My best friend, in fact.

So here’s to Katie. Today I wish for you wisdom for and peace in each trial, because I’m sure we still have a few left. And I wish for you greater joy in knowing and doing the will of God, whose grace has sustained us all these years.

And I wish you a happy birthday.

And many more, together in our Father’s care.

Published by wally metts

Wally Metts is the daysman. He is a professor of English and communication at Spring Arbor University and co-pastors Falling Waters Bible Church. The father of four adult children, he and his wife Katie raise barn cats on 20 acres in Horton, Michigan. His grandchildren call him Santa.

30 thoughts on “so here’s to Katie”

  2. Wally, this is such a beautiful tribute to Katie!!! And I can personally attest, as a long-time friend of Katie, that everything you said is true! God bless you with many more wonderful years together!

    ….And HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY KATIE METTS!!! Thank you for being a marvelous example to all of us women! May God bless you as you continue to serve Him to the end!

  3. What a beautiful page in what must be a wonderful love story between the two of you…. a precious gift from the Lord.

    Happy Birthday Katie! And thank you for a beautiful piece of wisdom that I hope to hold on to…. “But waiting to be asked is better than wanting to be heard”

  9. I’m a little late…but Happy Birthday Katie!!! You are a delight and I count it a joy to know you and your hubby.
    In this next decade of life, I’d love to open my door and see you and Wallace in KY!! Come visit!!
    XOXOXO!!!

  14. You give me such hope for the future. This made me cry – happiness for you and your wife and sadness for ones I love who I wish felt this way toward each other. I’m struggling for words to tell you how much I enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing this picture of your wife and your love for her.

  15. This is beautiful. I aspire to be that kind of woman when I grow up, although I definitely can see me needing to be pulled kicking and screaming as well. I’m very glad to have clicked through from your Freshly Pressed entry (congrats, by the way).

  18. I can trust her to keep secrets. I can trust her to tell the truth. I can trust her to caution me when I need caution and encourage me when I need encouragement.

    That’s the best thing in life. 🙂

  24. A wonderful prof of devotion to a wonderful lady, you show the true essence of love and she is, as you are, lucky to have you.
    My congratulations on such a long happy live and that there are still many years to come!

  30. […] Top five most viewed Some of the items here were viewed when “I’m not buying it” was highlighted on the WordPress “freshly pressed” list. “So here’s to Katie” was my most recent blog post at the time. I’m glad a lot of people read about her. i’m not buying it (7,525) men will be boys (699) three birthday wishes for Christian (676) girls just want to have fun (665) so here’s to Katie (660) […]

Leave a comment