It has been such a long time since my last post. It has been a really rough year. On April 29, 2011 we went through a tornado in the middle of the night. I think that has to be the scariest thing I have been apart of so far in my life. Addison is getting bigger and growing like a weed. He is the best little boy in the world. I recently got to quit my job and become a stay at home mom. I am loving it so far. To get to the point, I just want to talk about us moving, again. God has called us to a new church called Cairo Baptist in Ecru, MS. I am excited and looking forward to this new move. It is so sad to see our current members at Cumberland taking things so personal. Don't get me wrong, they aren't all acting this way. There are many that are so sweet and I can honestly tell they care about us and know God is in this, but there are some that I feel could care less because for some reason they think us leaving is a personal thing. It is not. Leaving a church is so hard for this reason. It is hard to love everyone like we do and then up and leave. I wish they could all understand that it is hard, but it is really hard on us to. I don't think people actually realize how hard moving from church to church is on a pastor's family. It is really amazing to me how God works and takes care of us.
I have heard the question asked so many times, "What is wrong?" Well to be honest, nothing! When God opens a door and tells you to go through - you do it. It doesn't mean something is wrong when you leave a church. It just means God has called you to do His work somewhere else. If I could get in front of the crowd at church I would tell them this. All the hurt and pain we have experienced some will never really know. It is something that I guess you would say went on behind the scenes but God took care of all that. He is still in control. I would encourage all people in the church to be kind to those in authority and especially those in authority's family. Your actions and words can cut someone really deep. For example, I was told I wasn't acting like a preacher's wife when I deleted someone off my Facebook for putting things I considered inappropriate on their site. I chose to do this because I wanted to see the BEST in everyone. Facebook can be used for so much good but I have also seen how it can be used for so much bad as well. In this same "group" of "Christians" I was also called spoiled and lazy as they gossiped outside a church service. I know I am NOT spoiled and lazy. I have worked since I was fourteen years old. I was raising my little brother when I was 9 years old. I got him to school, cooked his suppers, made him bath, etc. I put myself through school. I never had anything handed to me on a platter. My parents were druggies and alchoholics. Even to this day, I am not even sure they have the capacity to even put anyone or anything above themselves. I find the statement of me being lazy and spoiled to be simply humourus. Maybe if you (gossipers) would sit down and get to know someone before judging them then you'd see what they are all about. I speak this for more than those that said this about me. I ask anyone that gossips about anyone to please don't judge someone when you don't know them. God asks us not to judge. It isn't our place. I also remember being told I don't act like a Christian. I really do not know how to approach this subject. I guess the worse thing you could ever say to me would be that you don't appear to be Christ like. I strive daily to please God. He is the reason I am here. If I ever showed anyone anything different than I am truly sorry. I never want to ruin my witness for the Almighty.
I don't write this for anyone to feel sorry for me. I write this so others can be aware that if attacka like these can happen in our small churches then we should be aware of the evil being allowed within. As Christians, we need to take a stand and reach out. I tried reaching out to the very one that hurt me the most and was told I was being nosey and yet again I was a lousy preacher's wife. I can't change their words or actions but I can pray for them. God still has it on my heart to pray for them and people like them. We are only here to serve God! What else would we even be here for? I love you Father. I am here to Serve you and if you'll have me... please USE ME.
Cristina, as a fellow preachers wife, I somewhat understand. And its hard. For me, the hardest part has been figuring out Gods expectaions of me as a pastors wife as opposed to church members. No one understands how hard it is for preachers and their families. Doing what God calls us to do is not always an easy decision for us. And people being selfish and only thinking how it affects them and all the gossiping doen't make it easier. Judt stick to where God is leading and hold tight to your family. Anyone who says those things obviously does not know you and hasn't tried to understand.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Kim. It helps to be reminded of what is most important. I appreciate you kind words of encouragement.
ReplyDeleteCristina, each pastor's wife brings to the congregation who God has made her to be. Sometimes people have a "cookie cutter" idea of what a pastor's wife should be. This is sad. They would be terribly offended if they were told they were not a good firefighter's wife, policeman's wife, banker's wife or whatever profession their husband is in. One thing they also don't think about is that God brings the right people for "such a time as this" into a church when they are needed. Each pastor's wife MUST be who GOD made her to be regardless of the expectations of other. Just continue putting HIM first. That is all that matters. It is hard to live in a "glass house" for others to watch, but in reality every Christian lives in a "glass house" of sorts. The world is watching.
ReplyDeleteI relate their taking a pastor leaving personally in light of the fact when a church member chooses to move on to another loacl church, regardless of why (moving away doesn't count), it is personal for the pastor even though he knows kt isn't. I think it is a part of that Human Nature thing. A congregation somewhat takes possession of their pastor and he is theirs and should not be anyone elses. Then when God moves him, it is hard for them to deal with, esp. when he has been a good one.
I was just reading in Made to Crave, by Lysa Terkeurst and although she is writing about weight, I think this appropriate for most any thing:
When self-defeating thougths or hurtful comments from others run through you mind....ask these questions:
Is it true?
Is this beneficial?
Is this necessary?
I would venture to say the answer to all will be NO