Who's that hot mess?!...Oh, that's the pastor's wife!

A few months ago I was talking with someone in our church and the topic of Joel becoming a senior pastor came up. Keep in mind at this point we have no idea where God will call Joel to pastor at and are excited for the possibilities ahead. Anyhow, this person said if Joel was to succeed Mark (our current pastor) it would be difficult for the ladies in our church to adjust to me as the pastor’s wife vs. the current pastor’s wife. He didn’t mean this as anything other than to point out the very obvious difference between her and I.  It got me thinking, would they really? Our current pastor’s wife is amazing. She reminds me of the pastor’s wife from when I was growing up in the church. Always looks great, put together well, leads a Bible study/Sunday school class, is quiet, patient and graceful. She really reminds me of a proverbs 31 wife. Then there’s me. I’m blunt, outgoing, loud, rarely put together, late to everything and the thought of leading a bible study is doable but only because I’m great at procrastinating. Most Sundays I come into church late, hair thrown back, praising God for two things 1. I made it there with four kids dressed and hopefully fed and 2. Kids programming at church means I’m kid free for 3 hours! Definitely not the sounds of a proverbs 31 woman.  So why did God chose me for this job?! That’s been a question I’ve asked myself every day of my life for the last 10 years.  I guess my only answer is-God knows and I’m just going to trust him.

I got thinking about the many women I’m blessed to call friends who are also pastor’s wives and realized-I’m really not that different! The idea of the pastor’s wife is really an older idea.  Long gone are the days where we wear dresses to church, hair in buns, kids well behaved and quiet sitting in the front pew listening to me on piano.  That’s a great thing and I’m glad the image of the pastor’s wife has changed.  I don’t want to appeal to women who are already saved members of a church. I want to appeal to the lost women, sinning, hurting and searching. I want to appeal to the woman at the well. I want to make a difference in the lives of the ones who really need me.  

So I guess the final thought is wherever Joel becomes a pastor at, they better be ready for me. I’m funny, outgoing, honest, caring and loud. I may not appeal to the older women in the church and that’s okay. I just pray whomever God puts in my path can see a love for Christ and a heart for them. I pray all ladies, young and old will see the power of living as Christ made them and take pride in our differences.