Megan Skene: When we think about movements in history, we usually picture the
names on the books, the voices behind the pulpits, the leaders at the front.
But what about the ones behind the scenes, the ones folding letters,
hosting guests, or keeping the work moving when no one's watching?
In the Early Adventist church, women like Harriet Smith with the quiet
strength, holding everything together.
They may not have had microphones, but without them, the message
might never have spread.
Let's rewind to the 18 hundreds.
It was a time when women were expected to stay silent and small to serve
behind the scenes, speak only when spoken to, and certainly never take
the lead in public religious life.
But here's the thing.
God didn't wait for culture to catch up before calling people to serve,
and neither did Harriet Smith.
May not have heard her name before.
She wasn't preaching on stages.
But Harriet stood behind people supporting, serving and strengthening.
Harriet, married Uriah Smith, an early Adventist author, editor, and
theological voice who helped shaped the identity of the movement,.
But behind his contributions was Harriet organizing his correspondence, hosting
guests helping coordinate travel, and holding up the day-to-day work
of a movement that was always moving.
She didn't just support her husband, she supported the mission.
When the Adventist Publishing House and Battle Creek was short-staffed
or overwhelmed, Harriet stepped in.
She worked tirelessly to keep things running quietly,
humbly, and without applause.
And she wasn't alone.
There were many other women just like her.
Women like Leonora Farnsworth,, who wrote for church publications
and mentored young women in faith.
Women like Anna Knight, who traveled the American South as a missionary,
often alone and often in danger.
And women like Lucinda Hall, who worked as Ellen White's assistant,
helping shape messages that would go out to the entire church.
These women wrote letters, organized travel funded projects, opened
their homes, raised children, prayed over printing presses.
They were the unseen engine behind a fast growing movement.
And the truth is the church might not have survived without them.
While others stood behind pulpits, these women stood behind the
people while others got credit.
They got to work.
They were rarely quoted, rarely spotlighted, but heaven noticed
every act of quiet faithfulness.
Maybe you can relate to that.
Maybe you've never been on stage, and maybe your name isn't in the
credits, but you've baked the meals, folded the bulletins, prayed behind
the curtain, sent the encouraging texts, made the spreadsheet, and
listened to what no one else did.
You don't need a microphone to make an impact.
Sometimes the kingdom is carried, not in the noise, but in the
quiet hands of the willing.
Women like Harriet Smith never asked for titles.
They just showed up again and again, and because they did the
Adventist movement moved forward.
Their legacy isn't always written in books, but it's written and changed lives.
So if you're someone who's behind the scenes, know this.
Your faithfulness matters.
Your work is not invisible to God, and your impact might be
greater than you'll ever know.
Episode seven, Harriet's Hands Read by Megan Skene.