One of a kind

Being a pastor’s wife is a one of a kind experience. You can’t really explain it until you’ve experienced it. Have you ever tried to tell someone about a roller coaster you rode, but just didn’t feel like you got your point across. There are some things in life words don’t do justice.

When I married Bryan I wasn’t sure I would fit the “mold” of a pastor’s wife, and that was ok with me. Sometimes I say or do the wrong thing, and I am quite clumsy. My hair doesn’t always look great and rarely do my nails. You will find me on most Mondays in my grubbies doing laundry with no make up on. I recently went to a quick appointment in my grubbies and was introduced as the pastor’s wife to a lady who was new to our church.

I am glad I have found a network of other PW’s at Leading and Loving It. These ladies have done an amazing job connecting pastors wives together. I am making connections that are helping me through each step of my life.

I am thankful I can be the one of a kind girl God created me to be.

Ten Truths Thursday

Bryan often shares details about our life and I never know what he will say on a Sunday morning. I have learned not to be suprised because nothing is off limits.

1. I absolutely love a good cup of coffee.  A bad cup of coffee is just a waste of time.
2. It takes A LOT of product to make my hair do what it do. My hair is uncontrollably wavy.
3. I’ve worn contacts since I was 16 years old.
4. My sister and I rode horses when we were young.
5. I despise pantyhose and only keep one pair in case I attend an event where I would have to wear them.
6. I love shoes. I have since I was 4. My mother says I would notice peoples shoes and comment on them.
7. I can’t seem to keep my purse clean
8. Summer is my favorite season
9. I’m horrible at video games but love Battlestar Galactica
10. My mother tried to scrub the birthmark off my arm when I was 4

Don’t go it alone

Feeling blue, overwhelmed, or stressed? Make a friend who is an encourager. According to a study by UCLA, women need friendships to help them deal with stressful times. Most women withdraw and keep their feelings to themselves and this can actually be harmful to our health.

Chronic stress can cause women to enter into a “stew and chew” cycle, where we internalize the problem or source of stress and eat to deal with it. If we would instead make a lasting friendship, we could share our feelings and this  would help us cope.

This week I have had the opportunity to work on some friendships. I have shared some of the stress in my life and had women pray with me. I know I am not alone and they are supporting me.

My husband is a great man and I have an amazing relationship with him, but there are sometimes when I need girl time. I need to share my heart and be heard from a woman’s perspective.

Another way I have made friendships is through, Leading and Loving It. If you are pastor’s wife or  a woman on staff at a ministry, you need to click on the link and sign up for one of their virtual round tables. Lori Wilhite and the LLI team are working hard to connect women in ministry with each other. I have met wonderful women who share the love of Christ and are truly concerned about me.

We all have areas in our lives where we need encouragement. Don’t believe the lie that you can go it alone. When we are isolated is when we are the most vulnerable. Find time to work on building lasting friendships.

Blurred Vision

Our nine year old son Adam was squinting and having a hard time seeing things far off. I had noticed this even when he would be in a store and looking at something on a shelf. I made him an appointment with the eye doctor and my suspicions were confirmed, he needed glasses.

So many times I have gone through life trying to focus on things but they weren’t clear. God wants to give me focus and clear vision.  Like Adam, I can’t rely on my own eyesight.  I need God’s word to keep the vision in focus.

If I know God’s word then I know what is true.

Psalms 119:10 & 11

¹⁰ With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
¹¹ Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.

My loves

Who are the most important loves in my life? My first love is God. If my relationship with him is off then everything else is out of balance. If you want balance in your life then start here.

My second love is my husband Bryan. My responsibilty to Bryan is to submit to him. I am not supposed to nag him or criticize him. God didn’t call me to be Bryan’s Holy Spirit he called me to be a helper to him and a partner. Sometimes I have to be reminded what my function is as a wife. When life gets to me and I am frustrated with a circumstance I need to remember that the unity of the two of us is stronger than me on my own. I have to choose how I am going to react to circumstances and if I go ahead and choose then when things happen I will make the right choice.

My third love is my children. My children are a gift from God that he has entrusted to me.  It is my responsibility to pray over them and teach and train them. My heart is that all my children will serve God all the days of their lives. The Power of a Praying Parent helps me to pray prayers for my children.

Keeping my loves in right order is my responsibility. It is my responsibility to tend to these relationships and protect them. May I be diligent in all things.