Itching to hear...

People naturally confide in Pastor or Mrs. Pastor - because they believe that their secrets and pains are safe in their ears and hearts...and that's how it should remain. Unfortunately, I have noticed that some times, we're itching to hear and be "in the know" - well, sometimes I am.

Personally, I believe that that can be and is rather dangerous ground because, the fact that someone confided in you once doesn't mean that they want you in their face or space all the time - especially when uninvited... Think about it, it could mar your relationship too not to mention impact the respect they have for you - that flies out the window very quickly.

Super-Woman

Those 2 words carry quite a bit of weight with them...and there are 2 ways of looking at them.

Some of us like to portray ourselves like a superheroine...who can keep going, helping others, never weary. Like the proverbial Superman - whom I'm sure we all know does not exist - we like to be seen as always available to help and/or rescue others. 

We need to be careful - so people do not expect more from us than we can (humanly) deliver. If you do not meet the expectations, people may see you as unreliable, unhelpful or simply not trustworthy. We need to be careful so no one has unrealistic expectations of us. 

The other perspective of those words I like starts with the definition of the word: "Super". Super means "having outstanding or excellent qualities."*
For this type of Super-Woman, the Proverbs 31 woman comes to mind...

Now, that's the type of Super Woman I desire to be - one with outstanding qualities. I don't want to stand out to show off  -

 I just want to be a bright light bringing glory to God.

I don't need the spotlight, I just desire that the world spots (& is drawn to) the light of God in (& through) me.

Talking to all of us, Jesus said:

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matt 5: 14-16 - NLT)

I agree with Ralph Marston: "Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude."  Indeed, “we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”**

We should all strive to be women with that attitude...to be SuperWomen...who sparkle with God's glory. God bless.

*http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?lextype=3&search=super
** Aristotle

"I'd love to help you, but...

...I need help myself."

What?!!! Did I just say that?

Is Mrs. Pastor allowed to say that?

Aloud or even at all ?

Those were the questions that came to my mind when I was pondering on what my response would be if someone came to me for help at a time that I was in dire need of help myself. I asked myself, am I and all those who are Mrs. Pastor expected to always hold up their own and set their face as a flint irrespective of the situations they are facing?

Leading Ladies

When you hear the words or phrase "Leading ladies" what comes to your mind? 2 things come to mind for me:

1. There is a general expectation - rightly or wrongly - that Mrs. Pastor will be or is responsible for leading the ladies (especially as the Head of Women's Ministry/Fellowship). I'm not sure why there is that general expectation especially as the Pastor is not usually the Head of the Men's Ministry/Fellowship - maybe someone can explain why to me - I like learning...and of course sharing what I learn.
2. The 2nd thing that comes to mind that Mrs Pastor must be a Leading lady - and for that she has no choice - because "as pastors’ wives we are in a prime position to influence others by our conduct… good or bad."*  

Each of these have their own pitfalls that we must be aware of - and AVOID.

Day off

I was just wondering if you were wondering why postings are published on Mondays. You may have noticed that from the 4th day of the 4th month of this year, all the posts on this blog, except one, have been on the same day of the week - one we all look forward to in some form or fashion...

Monday.

  

Well, its no mystery...I know that several Pastors (& Mrs. Pastor) see Monday as their day off. Some Pastors have date-night on that day, others don't go to the church office and some others fast...different strokes for different folks and that's understandable...

Caring for the shepherd

God is clear on what He expects of those He as appointed as shepherds (or supporting shepherds) over His people. Starting with His example as our Shepherd, He gave clear instructions too: 

Psalms 23: 1-2:

The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.*

Ezekiel 34:14:

I will feed them with good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be; there shall they lie down in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.*

Isaiah 40:11:

He will feed His flock like a shepherd: He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them in His bosom and will gently lead those that have their young.*

Jeremiah 23:4:

And I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them. And they will fear no more nor be dismayed, neither will any be missing or lost, says the Lord.*

Isaiah 30:23:

Then will He give you rain for the seed with which you sow the soil, and bread grain from the produce of the ground, and it will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will feed in large pastures.*

As you can imagine (and may have experienced), it is quite a draining task (spiritually, emotionally and physically) to:

• lead others - some may not want to go
• feed them - even on mountains of life
• carry some - willing but unable to follow
• encourage - so they are not dismayed
• look out for them - so no one gets lost

So it goes without saying that the shepherd also needs to be taken care of so he can continue to take care of the sheep God has placed in His care. This is where we come in. While we may be involved in caring for the sheep (directly) alongside our husbands, we must not neglect taking care of the shepherd.

It is a fact that if the pasture is kept green, the sheep will come. However, the shepherd needs to be fit to remain connected to the Source Who keeps the pasture green and to guide (& guard) the sheep that come.

God will help us care for the shepherd in our personal care. Amen.

Source:

*Amplified Bible

Who is your standard?

A few months ago, when my husband parked, I told him that our car was not properly parked - it didn't look straight. When we got out of the car, I confirmed that indeed, our car was not parked straight and quickly "saw" why too- the car parked next to us, which we used as a "guide" wasn't parked straight either. That experience got me thinking about the question: "Who is your standard?"

Double-edged position

Some time ago, I was talking to a new "Mrs. Pastor". She'd been a "Mrs." for a while..."Mrs. Pastor" was just "new" for her. I was amused when she told me about how her husband seemed different each time he stepped up to the "Pastor-plate" - ok, let's just say "Pulpit".  

Have you noticed that about your husband? Does he seem like a different person when he's ministering - as if he's under Superior influence (as he should be) while the Word of God rolls off his tongue like the pen of a ready writer (Psalm 45:1b)? For me, there are times when my husband is ministering and I'm almost asking myself: "Do I know this man?"

- just because of how enlightening and enriching what he's saying is.

Indeed, God overshadows and takes control of any and every one who truly and wholly surrenders themselves to Him for His use. As Mrs. Pastor, we all have a unique position that is double-edged...and that can be dangerous.

Who's your mentor?

We talked about Mrs Elkanah last week. She's been on my mind for a while. I then started wondering if she had a mentor? Did or didn't she see the need for one? Would that account for how her sons ended up badly?

Let's take a few steps back: "Who's a mentor?"

Encarta defines a mentor as: "experienced adviser and supporter: somebody, usually older and more experienced, who advises and guides a younger, less experienced person."* Note that this definition has no restrictions...it doesn't say the mentor should be for only marriage, ministry, money or career matters - which means you can have one for all areas of life or different ones for each area.

Taking it a step further, "Does everyone need a mentor?"

Mrs S. Elkanah

Prophet Samuel was a force to be reckoned with...He was indeed a reward from God. His mother, Hannah, asked God specifically for a son and promised to give him back to the Lord. God did His part and she did hers...without delay.

She didn't spend too long with him. Shortly after he got into active service, he could (& did) hear God. In fact the Bible records that:
"Samuel grew; the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground."

(1 Sam 3:19 - Amplified).

He must have been one of the most eligible bachelors of his time...Mrs Samuel Elkanah must have been the envy of other ladies...when she was the chosen one.