My wife and Orthodoxy

I was hoping I could ask for prayer for my wife. I don't know if it's appropriate but I'm feeling kind of stuck and powerless, and I was hoping to ask some help from my friends here.

I've been pursuing Orthodoxy for a while, I just finished reading Becoming Orthodox and I'm feeling increasingly convinced that the Eastern Orthodox Church is the one holy, catholic and apostolic faith. However, I'm still held back because my wife hasn't been pursuing it with me. She's put off by labels (whether they're Orthodox or not) and so when I start talking about anything theologically she somewhat tunes me out. She was raised in a very unstructured charismatic Christian home where her mom was the spiritual leader of the family (even though her father is and was present and the head of the household). Her mom also has a very rebellious attitude when it comes to Church because she's often rejected by pastors for trying to get them to listen to her spout off about end times rubbish.

My wife grew up never committed to a church, never spending more than a couple years with one and her life in Christ centered around that Protestant mantra "it's not a religion it's a relationship".

When I come to her about Orthodoxy, I try to be delicate yet clear on where I feel the Lord is leading me, and it's difficult for her to understand let alone join me.

If you could pray for my wife that the Lord pave the way for us both to join the church together. I feel as though I can't even waste my time in the CMA church I've gone to all my life anymore, it's just insufficient in every way.

I feel at a loss, maybe I'm jumping the gun a bit. I haven't even spoken personally with my local Orthodox Priest yet... nevertheless I still feel compelled to pursue Orthodoxy and hopefully join the church someday soon. I just can't do this without my wife, I feel like it would drive a wedge in between us if I was on a completely different playing field from hers.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I appreciate all my friends here.

Thanks for your advice, encouragement and prayers everyone, they're very helpful and very appreciated.

Dorothea said:

I'll be praying, Bourne! God's guidance to you both. I really do believe God will lead you both into His Church eventually. The seed has been planted, I believe. What's your wife's first name? And what do we call you? Bourne?

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Thanks! I appreciate that, my names Andrew and my wife's name is Brandy.

I appreciate all the encouragement, you guys are great!

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Protoevangel said:

My wife was very turned off by Orthodoxy when I was converting, she was almost ready to leave me over it. She was Charismated this last January.

My advice: Don't give up hope. Walk softly. Pray.

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Thanks man, that's sage advice.

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Soderquj said:

Be patient and through your conversion great things can happen. As you get closer to Christ be Christ to her and eventually she will want what you are becoming!

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ArmyMatt said:

yeah, I agree with what everyone else said. be patient, prayerful, and loving. remember that a believing husband can sanctify a wife. just remember that these things happens on God's time, and not our own. He knows when your wife will be ready, so trust in Him.

Lord have mercy!

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Thanks guys, that's good stuff. You're all absolutely right, I need to just work on loving her well, be patient and be Christ to her. I can't push this along any faster no matter how badly I want to, this is in Gods hands.

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