5 Misconceptions about Pastors’ Wives*

Here's the concluding part...

Misconception #3

You can kiss having close friends goodbye.
There is wisdom in carefully choosing to whom you disclose your hopes, desires and struggles, especially when doing so sheds light on your husband’s flaws. Not everyone can handle such information with grace and maturity. Don’t buy the lie, though, that you can have no close friends. This will only isolate you and your husband from good fellowship with other believers. Everyone in your church should know that you and your husband are sinners, not because you blatantly participate in sinful acts but because of 1 John 1:8.
My closest friends for the past 12 years have all either been married to staff, on staff or covenant members of our church. I have dear friends who are also in ministry in other cities, states and even countries, but there is something special to having day-in, day-out friends. They see the inconsistencies in my life and are able to speak into it.
Have there been awkward seasons and disagreements? Yes! But God’s steadfast love has shone the most brilliantly when we addressed the awkward and generously forgave and loved one another in the middle of the mess.

Misconception #4

You must be friends with everyone.
How is this working for you? Even if you’re not a pastor’s or minister’s wife, how deeply are you able to know everyone with whom you come into contact? It’s impossible to be the same kind of friend to everyone. You can try it, but most—if not all—of your relationships will be an inch deep. We are limited! It’s a practice in humility to acknowledge that we can’t be everyone’s close friend and must trust the Lord to meet that need in us and them.
That being said, if your friend circle is so tight that it hasn’t changed in years, do some examination. Is your group of friends hospitable or alienating? You can’t control what others think, but you can be warm, amiable and willing to be flexible, guarding against trading depth for width.

Misconception #5

Your kids are the most sanctified in your church.
Our faith is not an inheritable trait. Although our homes should model what Scripture outlines for a family, our children are individuals with their own faiths. As my husband often says, we can gather all the kindling we can find around their hearts: family devotions, talking of Scripture as we go, modeling forgiveness by asking for it and giving it freely, expressing our own need for the Savior, and praying for their salvation. But, it takes a movement of the Holy Spirit to ignite the flame of faith.
Our kids are like anyone else’s. They are going to fail. They will choose poorly. My kids are at church a lot. They know all the nooks and crannies, all the stashes of mints and crackers. The staff knows them and they know the staff. This comfort factor can often get them in trouble. Unlike most of the non-staff kids at church, they let their guards down. They don’t feel the need to be on their best behavior. Although we train them to be respectful, they have their moments—as we all do. They’re in need of Jesus as much as the next kid.

...what do you think?

Source:
* By Lauren Chandler
http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/268855-5-misconceptions-about-pastors-wives.html?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork