"Private Residence"

Last year it was very interesting to hear and see how public & busy living in the White House can be & is over Christmas. Better yet was hearing how each first family makes & takes time to be with their family privately after the public show.

I didn't realize that they had private residences. I know I should have but I didn't and that goes to show how we erroneously think that because you are "called to serve" others you do not have a "right" to any privacy or private moments.

I continue to say that we all need to make and take time for ourselves and our family.* When you read all the scriptures that talk about the expected qualities of a bishop/ pastor one clear & common thread is "family." I believe that God expects all those in ministry to live a "family first" life. Let's look at 2 verses which clearly state that:
1 Timothy 3: 2 says: "A congregation leader must be above reproach, he must be faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, orderly, hospitable and able to teach."**

Titus 1: 6 is very clear: "A leader must be blameless, husband to one wife, with believing children who do not have a reputation for being wild or rebellious."**

It's one thing to have a close and connected family before coming into ministry and another to maintain and even strengthen the bond when in ministry. Like I've said before, this is one area where we need to actively take charge using the "Private Residence" concept. Yes, we are called to be hospitable - and we must be - it's a blessing to be a blessing. While our home is to be "open" to others it must remain our home, not a perpetual "open house" and definitely not a hotel - NEVER! No member of the family should ever feel like a "guest" in their own home because of the uncontrollable traffic of people we minister to.

Family life definitely one place where we may need to be more assertive. The way I see it, if you truly support your husband in ministry you must ensure that your family is intact and each member is an active participant. It's not a "I'll do something with the children, while my husband continues in ministry" - it's "We'll do things as a family as an example to the other families in our ministry." When I saw this picture, I couldn't resist sharing it.
Taking it one step further, when life falls apart, ministry cannot remain intact...

My prayer is that none of our lives fall apart. To avoid that, ensure you have a "private residence" - deliberately make and take time for family times despite the busyness of ministry...you'll notice a difference in your quality of ministry.


References:
*http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.ca/2011/11/busy-bee.html
**Complete Jewish Bible

How much...

do you love your husband?

I like the balanced definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13. Let's focus on a few verses here:

Love is kind and patient,
never jealous, boastful,
    proud, or ⁵ rude.
Love isn’t selfish
    or quick tempered.
It doesn’t keep a record
    of wrongs that others do.
⁶ Love rejoices in the truth,
    but not in evil.
⁷ Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful,
    and trusting.
⁸ Love never fails!*

Recently pondering on verses 6 & 7, I had to ask myself this question: "How much do I love my husband?" I know without a shadow of doubt that I love my husband...it just helps to reassess that love and I'll explain how and why.

Hold on to that hand...

I stumbled on this short and very sentimental piece on Mothers.

I'll let you read it first...then share my thoughts.

The mother that came to mind after I read this a second time was the prodigal son's mother. I'm sure she never let go of his hand - since he was in her heart.

I like Elizabeth Stone's take on this:
Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.

The truth is that no mother ever lets go of her children's hands -

 which is sometimes why some mothers are deemed bad mother-in-laws.

The point here is: "Mothers are keepers."

Join me to celebrate to all Grandmothers, Mothers (& Mothers-in-laws too). 

Also join me as I celebrate you because I know there are times when as Mrs Pastor, you have to hold on to some people trusting God to make an impact in their lives. May God bless and reward you for all you do to hold on to those hands. Happy Mother's Day!

Hold on to those hands...God bless

P.S. I know Mother's day is on May 12th - wanted to get my best wishes in early. Have a wonderful week ahead and a lovely Sunday celebrating yourself.

Time or Talents...

...which do you think is more important?

Last week was the National Volunteer Week. Besides the "thank you" emails I received, I heard one organization's TV ad thanking their volunteers for giving their time and using their talents. It got me thinking - and now typing...

Praying "openly"

Almost 2 years ago I wrote a piece - actually it sounded more like an ad - titled:

"Prayer Partner needed!"*

Few...and feeble

Some time after I became Mrs. Pastor, Jesus' words in Luke 10: 2 became so clear and real to me...

He said to them, “There is such a big harvest of people to bring in. But there are only a few workers to help harvest them. God owns the harvest. Ask him to send more workers to help bring in his harvest.* 

All I did...

...was marry my best friend.

I know that it may be different for some of us but I'm sure that for a lot of us - including a dear friend of mine - we just married our best friends and with time or even before we knew what was happening (to us) we became "Mrs. Pastor."

Sometimes I look back & wonder what I did wrong...by marrying my best friend. I don't know about you, but I'd guess it's similar: I find that it's not easy to "show" and/or "tell" how you really feel about a lot of things (or even people) because it can be easily misconstrued as "She's too sensitive" or "She's not spiritual" & so on.

Why not?

Yes "Why not?" - that was my question when I was debating with myself on this topic:

Why can't I say things as I see them i.e. just the way they are?

I know that a proverb goes:

"It's not everything eyes see that the mouth says."

I checked and have no idea who the author is so let's attribute it to our elders - yes they are/were very wise - only when it lines up with God's word though...

Back to the matter at hand:

Check point...

Wondering what this is about? I didn't say I would but I felt led to check on us.

It's been 3 months* since I wrote about me-time. So how many moments of "me-time" have you had since then? I know that I cannot prescribe how often you should have me-time but I know that once a year doesn't cut it. You'll not only be burnt out - God forbid that you be buried without it being more frequent.

Wear matching shoes...

...at all times.

Did I just see a smile come on your face?

Before you run to your closet and start listing the colours of shoes you do not already have, I suggest you hear (or more like "read") me out.

The reason why we need to wear matching shoes at all times arose when I saw this very interesting version of a verse that has been quoted over and over again. I went on to seek out various Bible versions so you can see what I mean for yourself.

According to the King James Version, Psalm 68:11 says:

"The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it."

The other versions I saw clarified it - (italics mine):