My husband and I will celebrate our 35th Anniversary this Saturday. I am so blessed and thankful for my wonderful husband and the years we've had together. I graduated from college on a Sunday and we married the following Friday. (This is NOT something I would recommend-too much stress and very tiring trying to finish everything and plan a wedding.) Three months later, we moved 2 hrs. from my hometown to go to Louisville for him to start seminary. It was alot to adjust to all at once. Four months later Gary was called to be part-time Youth Minister at a small, rural church about 45 min. away. We were both so excited and couldn't wait to get started in ministry. There were challenges during the time we served there but there were also blessings and we were thankful for the opportunity to be on a church staff and minister. We still keep in touch with some of the folks from that first church today.
We have served in several churches in several states over the past 34+ years and now have a ministry through the Va. Baptist Mission Bd. There have been times when my husband was ready to leave the ministry and there have been times when I've wanted him to leave, but thankfully never at the same time. We both knew God had called both of us to ministry. He has seen us through the bad times and blessed us with great times. We have dear friends in many places and special memories we would never had if we had not gone into ministry and hopefully we have made a difference in some of the lives we've touched.
We know from experience that "if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it".
I personally believe that Ministers' Wives are called by God to be MW's. There are those that may disagree, but I think it has to be something you are called to do by God in order for your marriage and your ministry to survive. It is a shared "vocation". Some feel called to be more involved in their husband's ministry than others, but all need to be supportive and want to be a part of what God is doing in their church or other area of ministry. Don't feel like you have to do everything and that you can never say no. I'm just saying you are a team and God has called you to play the "position" he has assigned you to. Use the gifts you have been given.
My prayer for each of you is that you won't give up during the tough times and will be able to celebrate 34+ years in ministry one day and even more.
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