To all my fellow pastors' families, this is not written to make you think you have it easy. I am quite aware of how hard it can be sometimes. I am aware of the uncertainty. I am aware of the loneliness. I am aware of the moments you watch your husbands bear more burdens than one man can handle. I am aware of the stereotypes and expectations. I am aware of the hurtful statements that can be said (in total innocence or in total defiance). I am aware. And I know you are too. It is hard. Sometimes it is harder than others.
I recently had a conversation with a grown-up pastor's kid. She flippantly told my husband and I about how her co-workers are trying to get her to enjoy the holidays because, "Well, I was a pastor's kid and that time of the year...well, I just saw how crazy my parents got and how ridiculous it was for him...It was just too much. I just don't like this time of the year."
Wow, dagger to the heart of every pastor/dad and mom/pastor's wife who ever lived.
But, wow, what a reminder for me.
The way I talk about my vocation matters.
The way I live out my vocation in front of others matters.
The way I think about my vocation matters.
Maybe this is a lot of Law.
I don't know about you, but sometimes I need to hear a lot of Law.
All the times I speak viciously about our God-given vocations...
All the times I live in a way that shows others how much I can despise our God-given vocations...
All the times I think poorly about our God-given vocations...
All those have already been forgiven.
So, now, I go in peace this holiday season - living as one who is forgiven.
May that be how I think and speak about my vocation.
May that be what my children remember about the holiday season.
May that be how they live out their holiday seasons this side of eternity.
