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.

Who sees? Who hears...

Who cares?

You can't imagine how delighted I am that I can finally write and publish this piece. I got this title over a year ago because of how I felt but didn't feel I should write from the dregs of my soul. Any accomplished or aspiring writer know that it's always best for themselves and their readers when the write right from the depths of their heart - and that's exactly what I'm doing.

To set this in context let me take you back a year and maybe even a few months ago...

Beyond courtesy

 

I cannot remember exactly when this started but the Holy Spirit drew my attention to it a few months ago. There is quite a bit of "Christianese" woven into our emails to members of the church, or even to others when we use our personal mailbox.

Father's Day...everyday

I can't really explain why I needed to wait till the week before Father's Day to share this. Maybe we can figure out why together...

(Not) for my husband's sake

Have you ever been in a situation where you just want to be left alone? Well I have - more than once. I mean there are times that I can't but wonder what else everyone wants of me - because it sometimes feels that I've given all of myself and it still doesn't seem enough.
Sound familiar?

Just right!

Whether you met and/or married your husband before or after your became a pastor, one thing is certain: You are just right for him!