24 April 2013

6 Things I Love About Being a Pastor's Wife

(1) We live in a parsonage next to church.  It is a fantastic perk of my husband's job.  I love our parsonage.  I loved the last one too, even if it did smell a bit funny.

(2) We are able to spend a lot of time together because my husband works next door.  Despite his crazy evening meeting schedule we eat breakfast, lunch and dinner together everyday. My husband can look out the window of his study and see his children playing in the park. When we need him, he's usually just a few steps away.  How many can boast that luxury?

(3)  My family is loved and cared for in ways that other families in our congregation are not.  Some like to call this "fishbowl living".  I choose to look at it in a different light.  Everyone is watching us, true, but for the most part it is because they love us.

(4)  Three words.  Leftover altar flowers!  Boo-yah!  (and funeral flowers, and treats from Bible Class, and leftovers from church dinners, and Christmas presents, and ladies inviting my daughters over to sew and crochet, and....sometimes the perks are overwhelming!)

(5) Because I'm a pastor's wife I'm sorta required to be in church, participate, and serve others.  I am so thankful for that!  I am such a miserable sinner that if it were not required of me, I'm not sure that I would do any of these things, let alone all three.  Think of it!  The Lord blessed me with a vocation where I continually hear the Word of God and serve his people.  God knows the darkness of my heart and has given me just what I need.  I am blessed.

(6)  I'm a better person because of it.  Being a pastor's wife has forced me to grow, love, and care in ways I would never have. 

7 comments:

Grace said...

Love it!!!

Gretchen said...

Yes!! Everything you said and then some. There are many hidden blessings to parish life if you look for them.

Unknown said...

Erin, I love this post. :)

Susan said...

It warmed my heart to read this!

I can't even begin to express (now that we've lost it) what a treasure it is to have Hubby/Dad nearby, where you can see him for a few minutes here or there during the day, when he picks up the mail, when he comes home for lunch, etc.

And it's funny that you should mention point #5 today. Pastor came back from a conference, and his co-presenter was your pastor from FtW, who sometimes mentions the same blessing.

Elephantschild said...

It's definitely one thing that makes me jealous of pastors' families, that Dad is often nearby, even if he also often has to be gone in the evenings for visits or for meetings.

There are times of the year my husband is gone overnight for several nights each week for many weeks running, and that is hard.

Erin, it makes me happy to know your church takes care of you guys!

Adriane said...

But . . . but . . . aren't you going to complain about how misunderstood you are?

Well, shoot.

Anonymous said...

Ahh, so glad you posted this, Erin! It's a breath of fresh air. Couldn't agree more. Except for #1 and #2 -- sadly those don't apply to us, and I'm slightly (insanely) jealous of you guys for that. Rats! But the other stuff, right on :)