Good writers love their editors. Fools disdain them. If it’s sometimes true good writers make their editors, more often good editors make their writers. Take Francis Schaeffer, for instance. Word among publishers was some of his manuscripts bore little resemblance to the final product. They were incoherent before editor did his work.
For first 15-20 yrs in ministry, every single Saturday night somewhere between 11 PM and 2 AM, I left my office and went home where I woke Mary Lee up and said I was ready. She sat up in bed and I read her my manuscript. Always she made a number of changes as I read, and there were nights where she told me the whole thing was bad and I needed to go back to my office and start over—which I did. Every book I’ve done has been read to her at least three times with constant changes she suggested.
Every blog post, too; and always a number of changes. It wasn’t uncommon for me to get irritated at her edits, but usually she was right. Anyhow, I always made the changes.
Brothers, think of your dear wife as the editor of your life, of your preaching and writing and fathering, who comes to you as God’s blessing.
When you know what you’re looking for, you can always tell the man who has no editor. It’s embarrassing.
You can always tell the husband who has no helpmate. What a crying shame for a Christian husband never to need the criticism and wisdom of the woman given him by God. You can always tell. It’s embarrassing.
Lower yourself and let your wife improve you. Do not despise God’s gift.