Pastor’s Wife

For many years I was a pastor’s wife.  In many ways, it was a blessing for which I am thankful.  What a privilege to be allowed into the lives of families at those very joyous times:  weddings, baby dedications, graduations, anniversaries.  I have enjoyed providing the music for many a bride to walk down the aisle.

It was also an honor to share with families at those sad times:  deaths, divorce, sickness.  While “enjoy” is probably not the right word to use, I have felt blessed to provide music for the funeral of many a dear saint.

What a joy to share God’s Word in a class with the children or young adults and to see that moment when their eyes light up with understanding, to watch them grow in their walk with the Lord!

But if I am honest, I must admit that there are also times when being a pastor’s wife felt anything BUT a privilege and honor.  Times when I wanted to run from the parsonage and say, “I quit!”  It’s hard to hear your husband criticized and hold your tongue.  Frustrating when you have planned a date night, are all dressed up and about to walk out the door only to have it cancelled because someone in the congregation calls and needs your husband.  Or, you are just about to sit down to a family meal when the phone rings – and off he goes.  There were times I wanted to pull the phone out of the wall.

But along the way, I have had moments when I wanted to laugh!  Some silly and funny times.  I always said when my husband retired, I was going to write a book about “The View from the Parsonage.”

Well, there’s no book – but I certainly want to share some funny stories in my blog.  I promised my husband –

the names will be changed to protect the innocent – and the guilty.

For now, let me just share with you some thoughts –

You might be a pastor’s wife if:

• You’ve ever had a church board hand you a job description with no attached salary package.
• You are the secretary at the church.
• You are not the secretary at the church, but people assume you are.
• You think about burning down the church if that would give you more time with your pastor.
• You used communion cups to serve your grandchildren orange juice.
• People automatically assume you know the inside scoop on everything going on at church…and you do…but your lips must remain sealed.
• You are expected to attend 2 baby showers, 3 birthday parties, 2 weddings and 1 graduation in a month (and, of course, brings gifts for each one).
• You’ve ever had someone angry with you because you sent a card, but didn’t come to see them.
• You’ve ever had someone angry with you because you came to see them, but didn’t send a card.
• Your house sometimes feels like an extension of the church with all the traffic it gets.
• Your husband always knows someone or someone always know him, everywhere you go.
• Your husband is constantly excited to tell you something else he’s learned…and you struggle to remain as enthusiastic as you wish you could be.
• You get roped into proof-reading or listening to the rough drafts of sermons…all the time.
• You’ve resigned yourself to the fact that there will always be more books that your husband will want but will never read…but will buy anyway.
• You could pay off your house if you just sold all the Bibles laying around the place.

There will be more stories to come!  Believe me, I have plenty.

If you read this and are a pastor’s wife, I would love to hear from you – to hear some of your stories!