"I'm not THAT sort of preacher's wife"

Do you have a picture of the epitome of the preacher's wife in your head?  That woman that had Proverbs 31 memorized and lived it. She was submissive in all aspects. She could bake and cook better than anyone. She was at every baby shower, every wedding shower, every wedding and every funeral. She always knew just what to do when someone was sick and enjoyed hospital visits. She had an amazing casserole ready at all times for whoever needed it.  She could quote scripture left and right and tell you where they were found and always had the most precious prayers ever. She was probably National Miss GMA in her day and a member of the WMA, if not the president! You never would see her get mad or hear her complain. Her children may have been brats, but she was the perfect mother. And of course she could play the piano, and the organ, and of course sing a special on a moment's notice....and could actually sing!

Well, yeah, that is the sort of preacher's wife I am not!  Sorry to disappoint! I can quote much of Proverbs 31, but I always feel so inadequate after I read those verses. I mean, really?? There is not a name given, that woman did not exist! I do understand that is just what we should strive for, to be the wife and mother that God has called us to be. 

Submissive. She was always submissive. Hmm.....can we skip this one? :)  Okay, I am for the most part, but in this day of feminine rights its not the coolest thing to do. I am thankful that I am married to an amazing man of God and submitting to him is pretty easy....most of the time. :)

Cooking and baking? Yeah, yeah, I can do those things, but honestly I just don't enjoy it very much. I have my spurts, mostly in the Fall of the year, so one season out of four, thats not that bad, is it?  It just seems I cook the same things over and over, no variety, and never the perfect meal with every food group that is suppose to be served. What are the food groups anyway???

Showers? Weddings? Funerals? Hospitals? Those are all a part of life. When friends rejoice, we rejoice with them and when they mourn, we have to be there for them then as well. No, its not easy, its way out of my comfort zone, but sometimes all one needs is a hug. Okay, and sometimes a casserole...can I give two hugs???

When it comes to the Word of God, I do find amazing treasures and promises there and while I can quote quite a few verses, I can't always tell you where they're found (their "address" as I call it). I absolutely love to hear precious women of God praying, just talking to Him about every day stuff....what makes us think praying is anymore than that..just talking to our Father...there's really no need for big, formal prayers is there? 

I didn't grow up in GMA's and I'm not a member of the WMA, but I have been to a few of their meetings and I'm friends with several former National Miss GMA's and the president of the WMA....does that count? :)

This may come as a shock to a few people, but I do get mad! I do complain! (and I doubt I shocked anyone!) There are times I just want to scream and shout. This morning was one of those mornings. I had a very difficult child this morning before school. I had a friend that didn't do as I thought she should. I read some tweets on Twitter I wish I hadn't. Basically, it was just one of "those" mornings where everything just made me mad or hurt my feelings. So, what do I do? I gripe. I complain. Then I heard that still small voice calling me to Him. Its amazing how time with Him can turn a day around, even one that started out quite disappointing. The joy in life is still found in Him. Always. Forever.

My children are perfect, so need to go on about this area! Riiiiiiight!!!  My children are far from perfect. I have a son that has a very short temper and believes that all children (especially including him!) should have an iPhone and anything else they might want. He also hits, kicks and taunts his sister on a daily basis. And the sister. Oh man. Can she be a handful!  Look up the word "strong will" in a dictionary, yes, that is her picture beside the word. I'm telling you SO strong willed she would have James Dobson (author of the Strong Willed Child) on his knees begging for mercy!  No, my children are far from perfect, but they are the children God has blessed me with and the ones I am responsible to raise to become a godly young man and young lady. There is nothing I desire for them more than to grow up and just love God and people. Its not wealth or fame that I pray for them, it is for a life of true joy that can only be found in God. I don't care if they're ever a member of a country club, but I want them to be very involved in a local New Testament church. I don't care if they play any sports, but I do want them to use the gifts God has blessed them with to further His kingdom. I don't care if they bring in a six digit income or more, but I do want them to always realize its all God's and we need to give to our church and to missions on a regular basis.  I don't care if they learn another language or not, but I do want them to always use language that is glorifying to God. I am not the perfect mother with my kids at all. There are times that I do yell and scream. There are times that I just have to send them to their rooms for my sanity sake, but one thing I never want them to doubt is that their mommy loves them a whole lot and prays for them daily.

So I guess I am not "that" sort of preacher's wife. I do desire to be like "her" in many areas of life, but God is reminding me daily that He has called me to be me. That doesn't give me an excuse not to live a life glorifying to Him, but it does give me freedom to use the gifts and blessings He has given me in my own unique way. I've been a people pleaser my whole life, but He's teaching me now, its not about pleasing people, its about pleasing Him. Its not about always having the right words to say or the perfect casserole ready in the freezer, its much more about just showing love. That could come through a hug, a card, a wall post on Facebook, a text, a phone call, and perhaps, if its in the Fall of the year and I'm in a good mood, some soup or brownies. 

Antioch has been blessed with an amazing pastor, one I respect more than any other man on planet earth. And in return, this pastor and his family has been blessed with the most amazing and understanding church family ever!  

Oh and  I almost forgot! I practiced basketball more than piano growing up, so I can't play the piano or the organ, but I can buy, download, and make my own playlist on iTunes! And I can sing really well...in my own car with the radio turned up REALLY loud!