When I was growing up I had this childlike idea that ministers’ wives somehow had it easier than “regular” wives. I don’t know if I thought they had a more direct line to God or what, but I’m guessing it was in part because the pastors’ wives in my home church were such sweet women. They were soft-spoken, humble, gentle, quick to encourage – and so at some point I decided that their days consisted of hugging people and praying. Maybe with a little cooking thrown in when the family night suppers rolled around.
I was a bit idealistic as a child. I’m not sure if you noticed.
Now that I’m older, of course, I know that there are few people who are in the flat-out trenches of ministry like ministers’ wives. OH MY WORD. I have several close friends whose husbands are pastors, and while those ladies are just as humble and encouraging and all-around wonderful as the women I remember from my childhood, they deal with a whole lot more behind-the-scenes stuff than my eight year-old self could have ever imagined.
And the biggest thing that I know now that I never would have known back then is that being a pastor’s wife? Is exhausting. Grueling, even. It’s a special calling for special women – no doubt about it. It’s incredibly hard – and selfless – work.
So I’m excited to tell you – or in some cases, to remind you – that there’s a special Living Proof Live for Ministers’ Wives in Nashville on March 13-14. It follows the Between Us Ministers’ Wives Conference on March 12-13. I can’t think of a better way for these women who serve so selflessly to recharge their batteries and fellowship with other people who experience similar joys and frustrations on a daily basis. It’ll be a good time.
Maybe the ladies in your women’s ministry would love to do something special for your pastor’s wife this Christmas; or maybe your pastor has no idea what to give his wife and would benefit from a helpful hint. Regardless, this conference would be a wonderful gift – and oh have mercy, it would keep on giving in the days, weeks and months that follow.
More than anything, I hope we’ll all remember to encourage our pastors’ wives – not just at Christmas, but all year long.
Have a great Monday, everybody!