I don't have all the answers.
Really!
This comes as a surprise to our church people sometimes, that those of us in the ministry do not have all the answers. But we don't. I mean, we do know Jesus is ultimately the answer. However, to every little thing in life that may come up, no, we do not have the corner on knowledge. For that matter, we don't understand it all about the big things! I often don't know why something had to happen, especially something tragic. I don't have the answers to solve every crisis that comes along. However, I really don't believe that when it comes down to it, this is what our church people are looking for. In fact, I've tested this out and it's proven true. They just want us to love them, and be there.
Right now there are many people in my congregation, and I'm sure yours as well, who are facing big problems. Job layoffs and financial strain alone are taking America's people to the brink. Our country's economic picture is a mess and man will not fix it. This pastor's wife does not have all the answers, but there is one thing I can do -- I can be there for the people. I can put my arms around them and say, "I love you and I'm praying for you." I can drop an email to them and let them know they are not alone. I can call them and say, "Hey, the Lord brought you to mind and I'm praying for you." This kind of care is possible when you know the people in your congregation and are involved in their day to day lives. I believe this is what the Bible is talking about in Proverbs 27:23 when it says, "Know well the conditionof your flocks, Andpay attention to your herds." (NASB)
There's a young mother in our church who is dealing with her son, a little boy she adopted a few years ago from a highly abusive background. The horrors this child went through were terrible before he was rescued and brought into his loving Christian home. His foster father even threatened him with a gun at two years old! This mother and her son are still experiencing some dark days as they battle his post traumatic stress syndrome and other issues that have seemingly taken over their lives. This past Sunday, she was absolutely exhausted and at her wits end after going to psychologist after psychologist and living day to day wondering if the breakthrough is ever going to come with this child. I was at a loss of words when I came through the education wing of our church and saw him having another emotional meltdown while she was despondent and crying over his lack of progress. Oh yes, we have prayed for healing. Many times. And we continue to pray. That is always our first course of action. However, beyond prayer, I do not have any great words of advice to share with this dear one right now. Aside from, "Jesus help us...Jesus heal Him," I don't know what to say. So I continue to say that and to put my arms around them and love them and let them know care and we are there for them.
It was a good day when I realized our people are not expecting my husband or I to be world renown theologians. They don't care if we know all the hidden meanings in the book of Revelation. They don't care if we know who Cain's wife was. They don't care if we know how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. They want to know..."do you love us?"
That question is easy, and I do know the answer...
YES!
John Maxwell says, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Especially in these trying times in our nation, let us remember that as pastor's wives our most important role is to love. God hasn't called us to solve all the world's problems, but we can love. According to I Corinthians 13, everything else is meaningless without that anyway! And John 13:34 reminds us: "So now am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT)
What proves that you are a good pastor's wife? The same thing that proves you are a true disciple --genuine love for the people.
I don't have all the answers.
Really!
This comes as a surprise to our church people sometimes, that those of us in the ministry do not have all the answers. But we don't. I mean, we do know Jesus is ultimately the answer. However, to every little thing in life that may come up, no, we do not have the corner on knowledge. For that matter, we don't understand it all about the big things! I often don't know why something had to happen, especially something tragic. I don't have the answers to solve every crisis that comes along. However, I really don't believe that when it comes down to it, this is what our church people are looking for. In fact, I've tested this out and it's proven true. They just want us to love them, and be there.
There's a young mother in our church who is dealing with her son, a little boy she adopted a few years ago from a highly abusive background. The horrors this child went through were terrible before he was rescued and brought into his loving Christian home. His foster father even threatened him with a gun at two years old! This mother and her son are still experiencing some dark days as they battle his post traumatic stress syndrome and other issues that have seemingly taken over their lives. This past Sunday, she was absolutely exhausted and at her wits end after going to psychologist after psychologist and living day to day wondering if the breakthrough is ever going to come with this child. I was at a loss of words when I came through the education wing of our church and saw him having another emotional meltdown while she was despondent and crying over his lack of progress. Oh yes, we have prayed for healing. Many times. And we continue to pray. That is always our first course of action. However, beyond prayer, I do not have any great words of advice to share with this dear one right now. Aside from, "Jesus help us...Jesus heal Him," I don't know what to say. So I continue to say that and to put my arms around them and love them and let them know care and we are there for them.
It was a good day when I realized our people are not expecting my husband or I to be world renown theologians. They don't care if we know all the hidden meanings in the book of Revelation. They don't care if we know who Cain's wife was. They don't care if we know how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. They want to know..."do you love us?"
That question is easy, and I do know the answer...
YES!
John Maxwell says, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Especially in these trying times in our nation, let us remember that as pastor's wives our most important role is to love. God hasn't called us to solve all the world's problems, but we can love. According to I Corinthians 13, everything else is meaningless without that anyway! And John 13:34 reminds us: "So now am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT)
What proves that you are a good pastor's wife? The same thing that proves you are a true disciple --genuine love for the people.