"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:23-26
We pray that he showers you with his compassion and provision in the new year.
I hope y'all had a very Merry Christmas full of plenty of fun with your families and friends. Ours was great, although I finally had to throw out the rest of the gingersnaps last night to make the eating stop.
It saddened me to see them go in the trash, but I knew in my heart it was time for us to part ways.
So now, as hard as it is to believe, it's almost time to bring in 2009. I'm not sure where 2008 went, but it's out the door at this point.
I've never been one to make a lot of New Year's resolutions, mainly because if you don't make them then it's much easier to not break them. See how that logic works for me?
But this year I'm making a few. I really do want to work out on a more consistent basis, not with the specific goal of losing weight, but just knowing that as I hit my late-30's I should make more of an effort to be healthy.
And if I happen to look better in a swimsuit come summertime, I won't complain about it.
The other thing I'd been feeling led to do was to make a better effort to memorize scripture. I'm really good at paraphrasing a verse or two, but sometimes saying, "You know that verse where God says that He removes your sins as far as the east is from the west and then blah, blah, blah" just doesn't have the same impact as really knowing the verse by heart.
Anyway, over at the Living Proof Ministries blog, they're doing a really cool thing where you can commit to learn two new scriptures a month. It's awesome to think of all those women learning two new verses every month of the year.
And if you do the math (which I hate, by the way) that adds up to learning TWENTY-FOUR new verses this year. That's not too shabby.
So if you're interested, click on over and sign up in their comments.
And while you're still here, I'd love to know if you have any resolutions for 2009.
Like many of y'all, I've spent a lot of time in the kitchen the last week or so, and as a result I've done a lot of thinking, a lot of praying, and a lot of flat-out talking to myself in between the measuring and the mixing and the cleaning.
My family has been at the center of many of those thoughts and prayers, and I feel like the Lord has been using some of the circumstances that we're dealing with right now to teach me more about how I react and respond to Him.
This morning I jotted down three specific areas where I feel like God is really calling me out and asking me to trust Him more, and I thought I'd share them just in case, you know, anyone reading happens to share my particular brand of crazy.
And I'm going to share my "kitchen epiphanies" in two parts so that you don't have to face the prospect of too much boredom at once.
You're welcome. I live to serve.
1) Getting vs. Giving - When I was washing dishes a couple of mornings ago, it occurred to me that I used to see money as a means to get things. A means to buy more stuff. I wanted to have more money so that I could spend more money. In fact, for a chunk of my 20s, I thought that if I just had this house or that car, I would be set. I would be successful. The primary objective of earning was the subsequent spending.
Slowly but surely, however, the Lord has been faithful to show me that while yes, money enables us to buy food and heat our house and pay our bills, it could accomplish so much more if we were better stewards of it. And I long for its primary function in our lives to be a means to giving and helping. Even though (SWEET MERCY) this is an unstable time financially, I really pray that God will continue to teach me that I need to be a better steward of the money He has entrusted to us so that we can give more and help more - not stockpile more junk that we don't even need.
So I'm praying - and I have a friend who's going to hold me accountable with this - that in the interest of giving vs. getting, I'll be more faithful with the small things. Cutting back on fast food and fast coffee. Planning our meals more effectively. Sticking to my list when I'm at the grocery store. Being mindful that the cost of eating out adds up quickly. And - this is the hardest for me - sticking to a budget with our grocery expenses.
Just typing that makes my heart race.
So. Anyone else feeling some fresh conviction in this area? Fire away in the comments if you'd like to share.
** This is a public apology from Kris. I was responsible to post Regina's devotion on Wed.and totally missed it. I was with my kids and I totally spaced on posting for allaccess. No excuses. This is so my fault and I'm so sorry! I'm posting her original devotion. Merry Christmas Everyone!
The Humility of the Incarnation
It's Regina Gibson here! Thanks for joining us for our second Wednesday Weekly Devotion (WWD). We do sincerely apologize for addressing you without video this week. Thank you for your grace and patience with us. Lord willing, we will have the technical glitches worked out by the first of the year and you'll get to see me face to face once again. I can't wait! Until then, no need to lack some good encouragement from God's Word. So get comfy, grab your coffee or cup of tea and your Bible (if you don't have a copy on hand, that's not a problem), and let's take a minute to receive a word from Him! I encourage you to read all the way to the end. It's worth it. I think it is a timely word indeed...
Let's start with a question:
What is the most humiliating experience you've ever had?
Do you have it in mind? Of course there are the monumental experiences, but there is also the humiliation that comes via everyday life situations. If you're anything like me you can definitely picture yourself in the following situation: You've gotten all dolled up for work, just as cute as can be. You stop to get your coffee. You go to take that first delightful taste, ever so carefully. You don't notice until you're in your first appointment of the day that little drips of mocha have drizzled down the front of your, of course, white sweater. Simply humiliating. We all do what we can to avoid moments such as these
Consider this statement:
In the flesh our natural inclination is to seek exaltation. Do you think that's true? I would like to suggest to you that humility does not come to us naturally. It comes through the person of Christ.
In Beth Moore's study Daniel she writes: "No one rich or poor, powerful or oppressed, healthy or infirm, enslaved or free, male or female, old or young, from east or west, of color or not, is exempt from the temptation to dangerous pride...Pride is not a circumstance. It's a state of mind." (Moore, 71)
This Christmas season you and I don't want to miss the humility of the incarnation, the desirable humility available to us in the person of Christ--
In Philippians 2 Christ pictures humility perfectly for us. *Please take time to read it. Give His Word opportunity to become living and active in you*:
"Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of god, did not consider equality with god as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross. For this reason God also highly exalted Him..." (HCSB)
Don't miss the humility of the incarnation....
Special Note: In the original language of the text, Greek, the word used for humility in verse 8 of Philippians 2 literally means "humiliation of mind." Christ had humility of mind.
The one who made you chose to identify with you in human flesh and blood
The one who is the absolute giver of life, gave up his life in the most humiliating way so that we might have life to the full
The one who made us walks with us
The one who spoke the world into being speaks to man
The one whose thoughts are far above our thoughts, thinks about us
The one who was raised from the dead and who will be exalted forever was crucified on the earth
Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of humility.
Will we choose the humility of Christ this Christmas season, or will we be content with the usual: hurriedness, worry, impatience, biting remarks, and quick tempers?
Will we choose people or products? Will we extend kindness to that cashier checking us out or to the waiter serving us, or will we have a demanding spirit?
Will we choose the fear of man and not share the Gospel with a lost relative, or will we choose the fear of God and humility not caring to save face for anyone, considering their life as more precious than our comfort?
Will we choose excess, giving only to those who are already rich, or will we extend our hands to the poor?
Will we choose the way of humility which leads to honor or participate in the folly of pride only to fall?
Are the choices you make, choices that reflect the humility of Christ, for it is easy to give mental ascent to a virtue we do not possess? The world is consumed with people who are full of themselves, but the world desperately needs some people who filled with the Spirit of God. Will we choose to carry the dying of the Lord Jesus in our bodies so that His life is manifested in us this Christmas season? Will our attitudes be the same as that of Christ Jesus or will it be Christmas as usual?
Thanks for sharing life with me a little bit this week. Starting the first of the year I will be joining you via video once again for our Weekly Wednesday Devotions (WWD). Thanks for extending your grace to us while we get it ready to go for 2009.
And to those who commented a couple of weeks ago, thank you. I do cherish hearing from y'all. I wish you the Merriest Christmas in the world!! Well, see you soon and join me for more WWD with yours truly right here on All Access!!
We heard this passage at church last night, and it's been on my heart all morning.
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression [a] and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
May we all remember the purpose of that sweet baby in Bethlehem.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
My prayer is that in the midst of family drama, turkeys that won't thaw, and presents that still need to be wrapped, that we all remember it's about a tiny baby that came to Earth and changed eternity.
Last week my little boy and I went to a Christmas party, and one of the moms at the party had a special treat for the kids: a birthday cake for Jesus.
Y'all, it was the sweetest thing.
What I especially loved was the way the mom used the cake to share the Gospel. She talked about how Jesus lived a sinless life - and that His purity covers all our sin just like the white icing covers the whole cake. She explained that the green icing piped around the bottom represents the eternal life we have through Him. She told the kids how the red candles symbolize the blood Jesus shed on the cross for us - a perfect atonement for our sin. As she lit the candles, she reminded the children that Jesus is the Light of the world, and when we know Him as our Savior and Lord, we're supposed to share the Light with other people.
Then the kids sang "Happy Birthday, Jesus." And I may have cried.
It was such a great way to remind the children of the Christmas story, and it's something that any family could do in the days leading up to Christmas - or even on Christmas Day.
This morning I was clicking around on the computer, analyzing world trade agreements and the historic implications of US missile policy (AHEM), and I ran across a video for Stephen Curtis Chapman's song "The Miracle of Christmas."
Oh, the lyrics. The lyrics are GOOD. And they are TIMELY.
I can't embed the video here because YouTube won't let me, but I can certainly give you the link:
I'm about to give y'all the best gift you'll receive this Christmas.
A recipe for incredibly rich and delicious toffee. One bite of it will seriously make you want to get up and have yourself some church right in your kitchen.
And, no, I'm not exaggerating.
Well, maybe a little bit.
I make an untold number of batches of this every year because it's easy, the mailman loves it and it keeps forever so I don't have to rush it over to anyone's house before it gets stale.
Of course, the same thing can be said for a fruitcake, but no one actually wants a fruitcake, whereas people will become your friend just so they can have some homemade toffee.
Toffee
1 c. chopped pecans
1 c. sugar
1 c. butter
1/4 c. water
12 oz. chocolate chips
Line a 9×13 pan with foil, butter the foil. Spread pecans on the foil. Mix sugar, water and butter in a skillet. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until caramel colored. Pour over pecans. Spread chocolate chips over mixture. Wait until it cools and break into pieces. Eat until you make yourself sick.
Run, don't walk to your grocery store and make some today. You won't regret it and it might even get you an upgrade on your Christmas present from your husband.
I don't know about y'all, but if I think long enough about everything I have to get done in the next week, part of me wants to go into a dark room and close the door and sit on the floor and rock back and forth for a little while.
The word "overwhelmed" comes to mind.
But here's what I know: every single bit of cooking and cleaning and traveling will be absolutely, totally worth it. After a quick trip to Tennessee this weekend to see my brother's side of the family, we'll come back home and open our doors for Parade-O-Company '08. It's gonna be a little hectic, but it will also be a blast. WE'RE MAKING MEMORIES, PEOPLE.
So yes, it's a little busy around here. And yes, it could even be a little stressful if I let it be. But I am praying like crazy that we will, above all else, see Jesus everywhere we turn this Christmas. The gift of Him. The miracle of Him. The wonder of Him.
Our bestest giveaway buddy (random.org) has done its work, and I'm happy to announce that the winner of Priscilla Shirer's "He Speaks To Me" Bible study Leader Kit is Jesica, commenter #11.
Congratulations, Jesica! If you'll email Dawn.Cornelius@lifeway.com, she'll make sure that you get your fabulous prize. Just make sure to put "AllAccess Winner" in the subject line.
And thanks, everybody, for taking time to comment and enter the giveaways - it's so fun to read about how you're digging deep in the Word with your Bible study groups, church groups, and families.
Bless Regina's heart! She has an aswsome devotion that she recorded for today. Unfortunately, we're all going to have to wait to hear it. Let's just say a couple of us LifeWay girls have had some timing issues and technical difficulties! I planned to pick up the camera from Paige so I could download it but didn't realize she was taking it with her to Dallas to meet with Jerry and Priscilla Shirer. So, I really wasn't even sure if she had computer access or not. Anyway, we connected and Paige was downloading the video just in time for this morning when, guess what? Her batteries died on the camera! Honestly, I think God's got something big to say through Regina in this devotion so be on the look out. We'll post it next Wed, that's Christmas Eve - can you even believe it? We'll skip Dec. 31 and jump back into WWD (that's wednesday weekly devotions) after the new year.
Merry Christmas ya'll.
I'm so excited that so many of y'all will be doing the Esther study in the next few weeks. My plan is for us to discuss each week every Thursday until the study is over. I'll post my thoughts for the week and then y'all can add your thoughts in the comments.
I'm thinking we'll start on the second Thursday in January. I'd love to tell you what that date will be but that would require me getting up from in front of a warm fire to go look for a calendar.
So what I'm saying is I'll get back to you with a specific date and give everyone a week's notice before we start.
On Thursday afternoon, I drove to Houston to hear Beth Moore speak and Travis Cottrell lead worship. The entire event was unbelievably good and God used it to speak to my heart in so many ways.
Another bonus of the trip was that I was able to be in the car ALL BY MYSELF for five hours roundtrip. That's five hours of listening to whatever music I wanted to or just enjoying the silence or talking on my cell phone without being interrupted.
I'm not going to lie, it was pure bliss.
At one point I put in one of my Christmas CD's and began to listen to "Breath of Heaven" by Amy Grant. I've listened to it a million times but at that moment the lyrics that stood out to me were:
"Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one one should have had my place
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan"
I wonder how many times Mary placed her hand on her stomach as she felt the son of God move in her womb and wondered why on Earth the Lord decided she was the one for this incredible job?
Did she wonder if it was all a dream? Did she look around at the other women in her town and think how much more equipped they seemed to be for the job?
In my mind, I think surely she must have had all those fears and doubts. Surely she must have had moments when she was sure God had chosen the wrong girl for the job.
Because don't we all have those moments? I have times where I look at my sweet Caroline and can't believe God has entrusted her to me. I have times where I look at my life and all its blessings and feel like they are totally undeserved.
And, honestly, they are.
But then God whispers to my heart and reminds me that He doesn't look at the things the world looks at. He looks at the heart.
In Mary, He saw a heart that was prepared to carry His son and raise Him into a man that would eventually be crucified.
In me, I pray that He sees a willing heart that is ready to go where He leads. No matter how ill-prepared I feel for the call.
And that's my prayer for each of you today.
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." I Corinthians 1:27
It's that time again . . . another Christmas giveaway begins today.
Can you believe it's only 13 days until the greatest birthday celebration on earth? With that in mind, what better way to celebrate than to position ourselves to hear from the One whom we celebrate! This week's give-away is He Speaks to Me Leader Kit by Priscilla Shirer. It's another great LifeWay Bible study with seven sessions of small group study and includes two DVDs. As a bonus, there is also a music video by recording artist Anthony Evans.
Priscilla says, "Why do we settle for the Word of the Lord revealed to someone else and passed on to us as if God does not speak to us individually?" God is going to reveal Himself and His plan for you in new ways.
Make a comment to this post and you'll be entered into the drawing. We will announce the winner on Tuesday, December 16.
I just made the weirdest sandwich-type thing ever for supper, and it was so oddly and unexpectedly delicious that I marched straight to this computer as soon as I was finished so that I could tell you all about it.
I KNOW! I'm a giver like that.
(Plus, Melanie is in Houston tonight listening to Beth Moore's teaching and Travis Cottrell's singing, and normally I would just call her about four times to talk about what we ate for supper, but since she would probably prefer to have some uninterrupted praise and worship time, I'm gonna "call" the internet instead.)
(I just appreciate y'all being here more than you know.)
(Anyhoo.)
I found this recipe when I was looking for something different to take to a Christmas party (as much as I adore chocolate, my sweet tooth gets a little worn out this time of year), and since I thought these wraps would be mostly savory with just a hint of sweet to remind you that HEY! IT'S CHRISTMAS! WE MUST NOT ABANDON THE SUGAR!, I decided to give them a try.
6 (8-inch) flour tortillas
1/2 cup hot pepper jelly with red jalapeño peppers
1/2 cup red raspberry preserves
3/4 cup Ranch vegetable dip (I mixed half a package of Ranch dip mix with 8 oz. of sour cream)
12 thinly sliced turkey breast slices, halved
1 bunch green leaf lettuce
1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded Colby Jack cheese
- Mix together Ranch dip ingredients.
- Microwave tortillas on HIGH 10 to 15 seconds, and set aside.
- Stir together jelly and preserves.
- Spread 2 Tbsp. Ranch dip on 1 side of each tortilla. Top each tortilla with 4 turkey slice halves, and spread with 2 1/2 Tbsp. jelly mixture. Top tortillas evenly with lettuce and cheese.
- Roll up tortillas; wrap with plastic wrap. Chill up to 8 hours.
We cut a couple of roll-ups in half and ate them like sandwiches, and y'all, THEY WERE TASTY. Plus, you've got the red of the preserves next to the green of the lettuce, so they really ARE "festive" turkey wraps.
Yesterday was one of those crazy, hectic days where I felt like I had a million things to accomplish and not nearly enough time to get them all done. Add to that the fact that it was the coldest, windiest day we've had so far and all I wanted to do was curl up on the couch with some hot chocolate.
But I dutifully ran all my errands because my family tends to need things like milk, eggs and toilet paper to survive.
By the time I picked up Caroline and got home, I was exhausted from all the running around. I walked in the back door, loaded down with school bags and groceries and dropped them on the counter as I went to check the mail.
Look what showed up! A sign from God.
He knows it's tough being a woman.
He made us this way. Monthly hormones and all.
My Bible study group can't wait to begin this study in January. I'd love to know if any of y'all are doing the Esther study as well.
If you are, I thought we could come here and discuss it in the comments on a weekly basis because, y'all, we're all in this womanhood thing together.
Someone asked in the comments yesterday about the Jesse Tree, which made me very happy because I assumed I was the last person on the planet to adopt the tradition.
A Jesse Tree is a way of celebrating the Advent season based on Isaiah 11:1-2:
"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him--
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD"
It's basically a series of nightly devotions that highlight Christ's lineage throughout the Old Testament. For my family, it's a way to keep our focus on Him during the Christmas season.
I wanted to keep it simple so what we did this year was print out ornaments that we found online which represent each of the different passages of scripture. Then, for our tree, I just made a tree out of green posterboard because sometimes I am artsy and craftsy like that.
You can really make it as elaborate or as simple as you want. Some people buy real ornaments to hang on a real tree, but that was way too classy for us. We prefer posterboard and double-sided Scotch tape around our house.
Although, truth be told, I'd like to do something a little fancier next year. Especially because my makeshift tree leaves a lot to be desired.
Most of y'all know that I went on a life-changing trip to Africa back in February. You also know that Melanie went on a life-changing trip to the Dominican Republic about a month ago. And in the last couple of weeks, Mel and I have had a couple of conversations about how what we saw on our trips will undoubtedly affect how we celebrate Christmas this year. We most definitely want to our children to continue to experience the joy and wonder of Christmas - but we also want them to develop a perspective that goes way deeper than how many toys are under the tree on Christmas morning.
Because the fact of the matter is that it's hard to justify giving our little people toys they don't even need when there are kids in other parts of the world that don't have clean water to drink. When there are kids who may or may not have food to eat tomorrow. When there are children dying every single day from completely preventable - and curable - diseases.
Perspective.
So when I saw this video, I amen'd just a little bit. Actually, I amen'd a lot. In fact, if you had heard me, you might have wondered if I hadn't set up my own personal camp meeting. It resonated with me way down deep in my soul. And I sort of cried like a baby.
Amen.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." - I Timothy 6:6-7
I'm not sure what part of Thanksgiving has come and gone I don't understand, but I was honestly stunned yesterday when I had to write the date on something and realized it was December 2nd.
How did that happen?
And, more importantly, how did that happen without me having any Christmas shopping done?
I told my husband that we absolutely have to get our tree before the week is over because I need to get maximum tree enjoyment. I've already hung the wreath on the front door in the hopes he'll get the hint that it's time to put up the outdoor lights.
So far it's not working.
Over the next few weeks, we'll bake sugar cookies, make a gingerbread house, decorate the tree, and look through countless toy catalogs.
But, most importantly, I want us to take time to reflect on what Christmas really means. I want to teach Caroline about the hope that came to earth in the form of a tiny baby. I want her to know how God showed up after 400 years of silence.
We're doing a Jesse Tree this year, but I'd love to know if y'all have any other ideas or suggestions on how to keep the focus on Jesus this season.
Happy Tuesday to everyone out there! Can you believe it's only 23 days until Christmas? This week's give-away is When Wallflowers Dance Leader Kit by Angela Thomas. It's another great LifeWay Bible study and comes in two formats: 7 weekly DVD sessions or taught in a retreat format. This is a great study to invite your neighborhood girlfriends who might not be walking with Jesus. Angela says, "The hurt and disappointment of life can blot out the beauty of a bold, vivacious woman, but God intends for us to dance the dance of our lives in His lavish embrace."
Make a comment to this post and you'll be entered into the drawing. We will announce the winner on Monday December 8th.
When I was growing up I had this childlike idea that ministers' wives somehow had it easier than "regular" wives. I don't know if I thought they had a more direct line to God or what, but I'm guessing it was in part because the pastors' wives in my home church were such sweet women. They were soft-spoken, humble, gentle, quick to encourage - and so at some point I decided that their days consisted of hugging people and praying. Maybe with a little cooking thrown in when the family night suppers rolled around.
I was a bit idealistic as a child. I'm not sure if you noticed.
Now that I'm older, of course, I know that there are few people who are in the flat-out trenches of ministry like ministers' wives. OH MY WORD. I have several close friends whose husbands are pastors, and while those ladies are just as humble and encouraging and all-around wonderful as the women I remember from my childhood, they deal with a whole lot more behind-the-scenes stuff than my eight year-old self could have ever imagined.
And the biggest thing that I know now that I never would have known back then is that being a pastor's wife? Is exhausting. Grueling, even. It's a special calling for special women - no doubt about it. It's incredibly hard - and selfless - work.
So I'm excited to tell you - or in some cases, to remind you - that there's a special Living Proof Live for Ministers' Wives in Nashville on March 13-14. It follows the Between Us Ministers' Wives Conference on March 12-13. I can't think of a better way for these women who serve so selflessly to recharge their batteries and fellowship with other people who experience similar joys and frustrations on a daily basis. It'll be a good time.
Maybe the ladies in your women's ministry would love to do something special for your pastor's wife this Christmas; or maybe your pastor has no idea what to give his wife and would benefit from a helpful hint. Regardless, this conference would be a wonderful gift - and oh have mercy, it would keep on giving in the days, weeks and months that follow.
More than anything, I hope we'll all remember to encourage our pastors' wives - not just at Christmas, but all year long.
Melanie
Melanie
Sophie
Sophie
Pam
Pam
Paige
Paige
Kris
Kris