I'm currently headed home after a much needed weekend away with my Pastor hubby. A couple of months ago he made arrangements for us to go to a Weekend To Remember marriage conference sponsored by Family Life ministries. I've listened to the Family Life radio program for years and always thought it would be really nice if we could go to one of the getaway events, but I had no idea just how wonderful it would be. First of all, to be "kidless" for a few days was awesome! We had a long weekend to focus on "us" without any distractions.
Over the weekend I realized how angry and frustrated I've become. Angry at my husband for putting me in this current ministry position that's filled with endless hurt, loneliness and disappointment. And incredibly frustrated that there's nothing he can do to change our current situation.
My eyes were also opened to the reality that my kids have taken precedence over my marriage relationship. I've always believed that my priorities were straight, but after time to honestly examine heart, I realized the kids have been my main focus for several years now. Meanwhile I've let our marriage just kinda exist in the background behind the kids and the many ministry responsibilities.
It was a sweet, humbling weekend, but tremendously beneficial in helping us reconnect. It was also incredibly fun since the conference was in Williamsburg, VA, one of my all time favorite places on the planet. I'm a history buff and spent several years living there while in middle school.
This was a wonderful experience and I highly encourage all ministry couples to plan a getaway weekend similar to this one. So often we're consumed with helping other people hold their marriages together, all the while neglecting our own.
As Pastor's wives, God truly blessed us with a gift when he gave us husbands that love the Lord and desire to serve Him. It's easy to lose sight of this among all the ministry pressures. I hope and pray that over this upcoming holiday season, all of us can take time to reflect on the many blessings the Lord has poured into our lives, including our husbands, families and yes, ministries. Lord, please help us to be like the woman decribed below.
"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." ~ Proverbs 31:10-12
Comments