The real sacrifice

A lot of people comment all the time about my busy schedule, and yes it is very busy sometimes. But, the way the kids play sports, the way I try to involve myself in the teens and kids at the church's lives and my hobbies lead to one thing. A lot of sacrifice by Tara. She is the one making sure everyone gets taken care of while I am fluttering around ministering in whatever capacity. Sure we do try to do as much as we can together, but that just doesn't work out every day so some days I am committed to being somewhere while everyone else is spread out all over town. From soccer, to volleyball, basketball and softball and the only way it works out is by Tara's commitment to the process. THere are times where I am on the phone late at night, or at the hospital on our day off or attending and event when we had other plans and she is the one that suffers through that. I was called by God into the ministry, but there is no doubt Tara was called to be a pastor's wife and for that I cannnot begin to put into words how thankful I am to her and to God for placing her in my life. I don't know of one other person who could keep up with me the way she does. I read a blog each day, it's sent to me by Thom Rainer with Lifeway and the other day it was a perfect statement of all that I am trying to say so I am going to paste it here below, I hope he doesn't mind lol: Thank you pastor’s wife. You may have one of the most thankless roles in the world. You receive no compensation, but there are many expectations of you. At times you are expected to be omnipresent; and other times you are expected to be invisible. Rarely at any of those times does anyone express gratitude to you. Thank you pastor’s wife. You may have one of the most selfless roles in the world. You are expected to be at the beck and call of church members, regardless of your own schedule. You are expected to adjust your life to the life of the pastor, who just happens to be your husband. You really have no independent life of your own. Thank you pastor’s wife. You may have one of the most challenging roles in the world. You are the only person in whom your husband can truly confide. When he is down, you are expected to encourage and exhort him. You try to provide balance for your family and children, especially since some of the church members expect them to be perfect. Thank you pastor’s wife. You may have one of the most painful roles in the world. You have discovered how hurtful some church members can really be. You listen to criticisms of your husband, and you are expected to be stoic. And when you are hurt, you think you have to keep it to yourself. You internalize it and hurt even more. Thank you pastor’s wife. You may have one of the loneliest roles in the world. People in the church seem afraid to get to close to you. Friendships are rare, if not non-existent. There are times you want to cry out in your need and pain, but there is no one to listen to you. In your darkest moments, you wonder if it’s all really worth it. Thank you pastor’s wife. We who stand on the sidelines may not know your hopes, hurts, and needs. We may not realize the depth of your times of pain and loneliness. But we know Someone who does. And He is with you. He is your strength. He is your comforter. He is your confidant. And one day you will see that Savior named Jesus face to face. One day you will get your rewards for your labor, sacrifice, and love. One day He will look at you with unstoppable love and piercing eyes. One day He will say, “Well done good and faithful servant. Well done.” And then you will know it was all worthwhile. Thank you pastor’s wife. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.