Don't "band aid" it...

When I listened to Esther 4:4 recently, I was reminded about how easily we try to 'band-aid' situations - mostly because it's more convenient to do that. Let's read the verse first then I'll share a few examples and my thoughts.

Service an honour...

I had to stop when I came across this translation of this verse...and wonder if I ever "say" that not in words, but in action:

Spot on!

A few months ago, I was analyzing feedback received and this verse dropped in my spirit - it was spot on!
"Whoever watches the wind will never plant. Whoever looks at the clouds will never harvest."* 

I particularly like this rendition of the verse because it says "never," not "not" - and that's very telling for me. One thing we all know from experience, besides my writing about it** over and over again, is that
"Everyone has their right to (express) their opinion(s)." Similarly, we each have the right not to let others' opinions stick on us.

I agree with Les Brown that "Other people's opinion of you does not have to become your reality" if you do, you will never, ever "plant" or "harvest" anything.

What we each need to do is know what God thinks about what we want to do or have done and move on. You can never satisfy everyone - so focus on satisfying only one Person. No not you - God.

Don't ever let winds of words or clouds of countenance stop you - because they never stop.
Keep planting and harvesting as led by the Lord...because He's the only One Who's approval and reward we need and want.

This is my prayer for you - actually for us:

²⁴ The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; ²⁵ The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; ²⁶ The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).***

AMEN!

References:
* Ecc 11:4 GWT
** Water off a duck's back etc.
*** Num 6: 24 - 26 (AMP, emphasis mine)

Stay thankful

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I was reminded and led to thank God for everything.


Being a wife and even a Mrs. Pastor is a blessing we must never take for granted even though it is a very interesting life - experience altogether.


I'm sure we do this often already - so I know "I'm preaching to the choir" in suggesting that we take the time this week...and the rest of this month which I gather is "Pastor Appreciation Month" to be thankful.


Think about it:
To have people who can appreciate you and your husband (whether or not they actually do), is something to be thankful for.


More importantly, for God to have entrusted His precious possession - men, women and children - into your care is definitely something to be thankful for. 


I know that being thankful is easier said than do but it's really easy to do when you put things in perspective.


Happy Thanksgiving...may your reasons for thanksgiving continue to increase. AMEN!

The other Pastor's wife

My dear Mrs Pastor, have you ever been "the other Pastor's wife"? Strange question right?

Tough-skinned yet sensitive

My eye caught that header a few years ago. I smiled when I realized that they were talking about elephants...in my usual manner, I went digging.

I remember that when I was much younger, we were taught that elephants are the largest land animals. Thinking about it, it means that they are noticed wherever they are - in other words because of their mere size, they cannot be ignored; we can't say the same for many other animals. What about you? Do you make an impact wherever you go? I'm not saying you must announce yourself or be loud - does your countenance or even quietness send or leave a message wherever you go or whenever you leave? For avoidance of doubt, I'm not saying "size" is required to make an impact...

Back to our topic, elephants are tough-skinned yet sensitive - sounds like a paradox won't you say?
"The elephant´s skin is despite of its thickness a very sensitive system and has a rich nerve providing. An elephant notices every fly landing on him!"*

I have written quite a bit about having a "water off a duck's back" attitude to things.** This is a critical attribute because you cannot afford to be phased by everything people do or say to or about you. Even Jesus was tough-skinned - and knew when to let things slide off like water off a duck's back.

In being tough/thick skinned, we must also be sensitive and tender-hearted - to be effective in ministry.

I recently read an article that puts makes this point simply - see Thick Skin, Tender Heart, and What Every Pastor's Wife Needs Most  - by Elisha Galotti.

I don't know who the quote below is attributed to but it encapsulates the message of this post. In being tough/thick-skinned, never lose touch with your softer side. Strengthen those heart muscles so they are tender...

References:
*http://www.upali.ch/skin_en.html
** http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.com/2013/11/water-off-ducks-back.html
Source of article: 
http://www.truewoman.com/?id=2776

Watch that "broken tooth"...

Proverbs 25:19 says:

"Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble 

is like

chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot." (NLT)

"As well as they are able to."

Those 7 words were Cinderella's response when asked how she was being treated at home. It was obvious she was very selective about her words and it brought 2, actually 3 things to mind:

Focus on the principle...

You may not agree with me, but I sincerely believe that as Mrs Pastor we can learn the wife of any leader. I've written on a few of them: Mrs S. Elkanah,* Mrs Aquila,** Queen Vashti.***

Version Control

These 2 words popped in my head as I read a verse of the Bible that I've read many times before. It was obviously my first time of reading that chapter in that version of the Bible.