Why must it be that way?

I was talking with  my husband (Let's call him Revy) some friends yesterday and we were having the discussion about how a preacher and his wife are held to a higher standard when it comes to what we say and do.  Quietly, I asked myself, "Why must it be that way?"

Well, I think a lot of times, people in the church put the preacher and his wife upon a pedestal, just because he is the preacher and he is "feeding the congregational sheep"...and me being his wife, I am thrown in the mix.  However, we should not be placed upon a pebble, much less a pedestal.  We are sinners just like everyone else in the church and in the world, for that matter.  We make mistakes just like everyone else, but I sometimes feel like we are not allowed to make mistakes.  For Pete's sake, we ain't Jesus...so we are going to screw up and say things or do things that are not "perfect".  I know preacher's say the line, "I am only human" more than once in their ministry, however there has never been a more true statement.  His job is a calling by God, just as your profession is a calling by God, as well.  Furthermore, just because you don't have Rev. in front of your name...doesn't mean you are not called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is probably a good time to stop and say that these statements in no way reflect anything within my church or any specific person within my church.  These are just things I have noticed in our short time in the ministry (All preacher's and their families go through the same stuff, they just don't want to talk abut it).  We have a wonderful church with wonderful people. 

My husband doesn't tell me everything that goes on in the church.  A lot of people think that because I am his wife, he shares everything in regards to church business with me.  Not so.  I actually like it that way.  He tells me what I NEED to know, nothing more.  Some preacher's may be completely open with their wives...and I believe that is why many of their wives are labeled as gossipers...because they know EVERYTHING!  The less I know, the less I can get accused of saying, I guess.

My husband is only been in a pastoral role for two years (he was in youth ministry for five years prior), but it seems that we have learned a lifetime of lessons that have made us better servants of the Lord.  I am thankful for the calling on my life, even though it is sometimes hard and it makes you want to throw your hands up...I know that it is for a greater purpose.  The good of the ministry far outweighs the bad.  When you see someone come to know the Lord, the little stuff takes a back seat...and isn't that what it is all about?

I so have to share this...when Revy read my first post, he asked, "Were you mad when you set up that blog?"  I couldn't help but chuckle.  For the record, I was not mad.  I just want to be honest...I want to be real.  My life is an open book to those that know me...why not those that do not know me, as well?  Being someone you are not is why so many have turned away from God and the Christian church has become a joke to many people.  I want people to see that I am just like them, I just happen to be a preacher's wife...a not-so-perfect preacher's wife.

Acceptance

Every morning I send out a text message to about 60 ladies in my church with a short note and Bible verse...just what the verse means to me and what I take from it that may help someone else throughout their day.  So, along with some of my "confessions" here...I thought I would take time in the morning to give you a devotional from the mighty tongue of Charles Spurgeon in his book Morning and Evening.  It is a devotional for each day...once in the morning and once in the evening, hence the name. *wink*

So, here goes...

"Accepted in the beloved"  -Ephesians 1:6

What a state of privilege!  It includes our justification before God, but the term "acceptance" in the Greek means more than that.  It signifies that we are the objects of divine complacency, nay, even of divine delight.  How marvelous that we, worms, mortals, sinners, should be the objects of divine love!  But it is only "in the beloved."  Some Christians seem to be accepted in their own experience, at least, that is their apprehension.  When their spirit is lively, and their hopes bright, they think God accepts them, for they feel so high, so heavenlyminded, so drawn above the earth!  But when their souls cleave to the dust, they are the victims of the fear that they are no longer accepted.  If they could but see that all their high joys do not exalt them, and all their low despondencies do not really depress them in their Father's sight, but that they stand accepted in One who never alters, in One who is always the beloved of God, always perfect, always without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, how much happier they would be, and how much more they would honour the Savior! Rejoice then, believer, in this:  thou art accepted "in the beloved."  Thou looks within, and thou sayest, "There is nothing acceptable here!"  But look at Christ, and see if there is not everything acceptable there.  Thy sins trouble thee; but God has cast thy sins behind His back, and thou art accepted in the Righteous One.  Thou has to fight with corruption, and to wrestle with temptation, but thou art already accepted in Him who has overcome the powers of evil.  The devil tempts thee; be of good cheer, he cannot destroy thee, for thou art accepted in Him who has broken Satan's head.  Know by full assurance thy glorious standing.  Even glorified souls are not more accepted than thou art.  They are only accepted in heaven "in the beloved," and thou art even now accepted in Christ after the same manner.

Have a great Friday!

Yes, I'm the preacher's wife.

I guess that may be hard for some people to believe...or accept.

As it says in my sidebar, I am not the typical preacher's wife.  How did I come to that conclusion, you ask?

#1 - I don't play an instrument and I don't sing solos in front of the church.  For hundreds of years, the preacher's wife has been almost expected to sing and play an instrument.  Why?  Does it help in the ministry to have these gifts as a preacher's wife?  Maybe...I can't see where it would hurt.  Well, I can't carry a tune in a bucket (however I do a great job in the shower and alone in my car) and I only took piano lessons for a short time when I was younger...but in that time I have managed to forget everything I learned except "When the Saints Go Marching In".  Go figure.

#2 - I don't wear a dress to church every Sunday.  If its cold outside, this chick will be wearing pants  If I didn't shave my legs...wearing pants.  Does a dress define the preacher's wife as being more Godly than the lady who sits in the pew on Sunday in a dress, but spends more time on the phone gossiping the other six days of the week?  I'm just sayin'.

#3 - I wear high heels.  My motto:  "The taller I look, the less wide I look."  I like to be fashionable (or attempt to look fashionable).  High heels make me feel good.  Do they make me an easy target for people to say things?  Sure.  Do I care?  No.  I believe that you can have fun with your clothing without having your "goods" hanging out all over the place and still carry yourself like a lady.  High heels make me feel like a lady.  So there.
Disclaimer:  I do not wear denim jumpers, ankle skirts, my hair in a bun or Keds sneakers. 

#4 - I don't think I need to surround myself with people just like me.  Do I get criticized for trying to go out of my way to help minister to people for who they are?  Yes.  Didn't God come to you, just as you were?  Yes.  I don't judge anyone...I mean ANYONE.  I love people for who they are and who they can become in Christ...not because of their past or where God has brought them from.  I love everyone and try to be friends with everyone.  If you can't get along with anyone, maybe it isn't everyone else, it is you.

#5 - My kids are hoodlums.  Yes, I said it.  My kids do not always act like they should...but then again, neither do I.  I am not the perfect mother and have never claimed to be.  So, I would appreciate it when I make a mistake in parenting it isn't the topic of conversation at your next family meal...thankyouverymuch.  My children are beautiful and I love them deeply...but they will probably not act like a preacher's kid should sometimes.  You can just overlook it and know that I'm the not-so perfect preacher's wife...so expect it.  *wink*

#6 - I am an introvert.  If you don't know what that is...Google it!  My definition:  I get my energy from being alone, where my husband (not your typical preacher) gets his energy from being surrounded by people.  Does that make me a bad person?  No, I do not think so.  I like being alone.  I think I do a pretty good job of hiding it, though.  I feel like I know many of the members of our church intimately...if not all.  I know their likes, their dislikes and I hope that they know that my interest in them and their life is genuine.  Not because I am the preacher's wife.  So, when I hug you...know it is real, not fake.  When I tell you I care, I do.  When I tell you that I am here for you...I mean I am here for you.  Not because I am supposed to, being the preacher's wife.

#7 - I am goofy.  I am not prim and proper.  I act like an idiot at the drop of a hat.  I like making people laugh and have been known to laugh at myself more than anything.  I love a practical joke or two...okay, I never get tired of them...EVER!  So, don't be surprised what you read here...'cause I can guarantee you that it will not be perfection in every post.

Okay..I totally am going to stop at #7...because in the Bible the number seven is a sign of perfection.  Note the irony.  Gah lay, I crack myself up sometimes.  If you didn't get that...you totally need to go back and read #7 again.

I hope you will come back for daily devotions and take a swim inside my life in this "fish bowl"...where so many noses are constantly pressed to the glass.