I am in the process of re-reading a book on marriage. More specifically, marriage in the pastorate. And I’ve had some very thought-provoking quotes to share with you.
I’m still not sure if I’ll recommend this book to other pastors’ wives, because I’m only in the first chapter and I can’t vouch for what I’ve forgotten is in the rest of it.
But here’s something for us to be inspired by and/or think about.
A Pastor’s wife in the states spends her week as a teacher in an urban ghetto in the USA. She also has a 2 year old son. Her husband is a pastor in this same disadvantaged area of the city. She sees her ministry as providing quality education to the poor of her country. And loves doing it. But this is what got me. When someone commended her for her work and asked her about what she does and why she says “We’re doing everything we can to bloom in the place where God has planted us.”
I found this extraordinary. It’s really nothing new, but it got me thinking about how often God moves me places, and I don’t have this attitude. I’m not necessarily talking about my situation now, but certainly, earlier in life I feel like I have planted my feet in the mud and God has had to carry me kicking and screaming. It makes me think of all of the missed opportunities because I wasn’t willing to blossom. I just wanted to be. Just plant me somewhere and we’ll see how I do.
What a huge loss for me. For others. I don’t want to “just be” where God has planted me anymore. I want to blossom! Give me bouquets that I have discovered along the way! I’ll take them and share them around to bring the joy of Christ into the hearts of whoever my neighbour is.
So much of my life has been wasted, and I’m sure much more to come. But hopefully, it will no longer be wasted by my immaturity in God’s plantings for me and my family.
I’m a Mum now, and my attitude will be reflected in my children. This time of my life, more than ever, should I be focusing on accepting God’s hand.
I don’t want my children to resent the Lord because I’m depressed that “Dad’s away on a leadership conference/ preaching overseas/ ministry gathering.”
More than anything, I am blessed because my husband is spending his life serving the Lord. And I admire him for that, and love him for it, and get inspired by it. Because to live is Christ and to die is gain. I read these things and think I believe it. Until the reality of what this might mean hits home. Maybe I will have to spend several weeks a year looking after a team of little bratty children Craig helped me create all on my own and I will get lonely. So what??? This is the game, Nicole! We’re not in training or at the afterparty. This is it. And however long Craig is away for the Lord’s work, I want my kids to get excited that “Dad is away doing the most important job in the world. He is serving our God and King. What a privilege it is for us to be a part of it!”
Married to a Pastor. London & Wiseman, Regal Books, 1999
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