Being married to a pastor is hard work. Being a pastors wife is hard work. Being a wife in general is hard work. Being a mother to pastors kids is hard work. Being a mother in general is hard work!
Get the picture? I know you do - if your married and/or have kids - you know what I'm talking about.
It is true, that pastors wives have adifferent set of struggles all our own. Ones that no one else knows, feels, or deals with. They are not all hard, and trying, or burdensome, just different.
When I found leadingandloveingit.com, a site dedicated to women in ministry, it was just what I needed to be encouraged. No one knows like those who are in it. This life - of ministry - I think is so much different than any other. The challenges, the victories, the expectations, the hours. Everything is different, I think, from any other career. So for me, having found this community of other women who are in the same boat as I am has been HUGE! There are all kinds of things out there for pastors - conferences, seminars, lectures, resources. Everything. But what about for their wives?
Marks dad is a pastor too. I remember his mom told me about a conference they went to when Rick first got into the ministry. While Rick was in a lecture, Pam went to one w/ other ladies - PWs - to a lecture on how to iron and starch their hubbys shirts! Really?!
Thankfully that was a while ago. Today there is more support out there then just how to make a great casserole or iron shirts.
We as wives can have a HUGE role in what our husbands do.
We don't have to just sit on the side lines and watch, we can get in and play too. As for me, I have two small children, and my role in the game is being @ home w/ them. Maybe later on I'll be more involved and active in how I 'help' or serve. But for now, this is my role.
One of the biggest things that I've longed for and have found through L&LI is a community of other women. Relationships that have been positive, insightful, and encouraging. I've gained ideas and hopes of creating those type of relationships w/ the ladies on staff here where I'm at.
So, tonight I'm getting together - for the second time! - w/ some of the other PWs from our church. Growing relationships and trust is the first step in creating a community, right? I look forward to being w/ these ladies. This was something I wanted and hoped they would want as well.
Lucky me - they did!
Community - its a great support to have in your life, no matter what you or your spouse does - and I want a life giving and receiving from that community.
Who's in your 'community'? Do you value those that are around you and support you -
do they know it?
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