Barbara Spooner: A Lady of Wisdom

"Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold."

She was young. She was beautiful. She was rich. And she...was a Methodist. Not a Methodist in the sense in which we think of Methodists today, but rather, someone separate from the Church of England. Someone radically in love with the Lord.

Barbara had been raised in typical upper-class English home. She was the third of ten children, and the daughter of a wealthy banker. Her family was nominally Christian, under the Church of England. But Barbara, only twenty, found this faith wasn't enough. In fact, the Church of England didn't seem to have any faith. Suddenly, Barbara left the life of parties and gambling which she had used to practice. She sought the Lord and found him. Against the wishes of her family, she restrained herself from returning to her former life, and became a Methodist. 

The trouble her family gave her about it was great, but she found that her faith was greater. Many times she must have turned to the Lord, considering the incredible pressures she experienced from her family, friends, and the surrounding culture. She concerned herself instead with the Lord, taking refuge in him. And, as she grew in her knowledge of the Lord, she grew in wisdom. 

Barbara became known within her circles as something of a devout woman: she prayed at regular intervals, began to learn the Scriptures, and committed herself to knowing as much about God as she could. In the meantime, she heard of a man named William, who was said to be just as devout as she, also against his expected behavior. He was well-known, and as it turned out, Barbara had spent much time working in favor of his causes. She was a talented speaker and people-person, so she had done much for social advancement. Now, "pulling a Ruth," Barbara wrote to William, informing him of her need for "spiritual advice."  Within five weeks, the two were wed as Mr. and Mrs. William Wilberforce.

Much rejoicing entailed. It is said that the couple could not stop talking about their sheer joy, they were so in love with the Lord and with each other.

Throughout their married life, William and Barbara enjoyed many blessings, but not without trial. Indeed, it was Barbara who encouraged William in his frequent health failings. It was Barbara who gently rebuked him when he gave up, and it was Barbara who picked up when he could go no further. She sought to advance and protect her husband, her children, and her culture. William frequently recorded in his journal the many ways in which Barbara spoke the wisdom of the Lord to him, and often he wrote of his desire to be "worthy of her."

When, after decades of fighting, William Wilberforce finally abolished the slave trade, he attributed his strength to the Lord, and to his "beloved Barbara." Together, they had won their earthly reward.

Barbara Spooner Wilberforce was an incredible example of a wise woman. She practiced wise restraint by turning from her former ways. In the face of disapproval, she found her approval in the Lord, using her skills to glorify Him. God blessed her, through her wisdom, with William, and he with her, and there was great rejoicing for both. And in her wisdom, she was a source of strength to her family, giving the entire nation of England a great reward. Now, an even greater reward is hers in the presence of our Savior, for whom she had the deepest love of all.