The Secret Life of a Minister's Wife

Thankful.
This month I challenge you to dwell on your blessings; to think of at least one thing each day that you are thankful for. I would like to list some of mine now…I’m thankful for strangers. People who I don’t know, but who have helped me and my family by word or deed.I’m thankful for teachers/professors that forced me to open my mind even when a crowbar was required.I’m thankful for my parents who taught me faith, scripture and some amazing southern cooking.I’m thankful for distant relatives and the opportunity to know them better. My roots are now my heart strings.I’m thankful for friends. Friends who live all over

Halloween Inconsistencies.
1. I encourage my kids to be themselves...except on Halloween.2. I encourage my kids to not talk to strangers, take candy from strangers, or go near a stranger's house...except on Halloween.3. I encourage my kids to make healthy eating choices and not gorge themselves on sugary sweets and chocolate...except on Halloween.4. I hear myself saying, "Don't be scared of the man dressed in black carrying a bloody sickle"...only on Halloween.This is but a short list of a few things that I'm doing that are probably permanently scaring and confusing my children.

When they find out.
It is always interesting to watch the responses of people when I introduce myself and we do the ritualistic "what do you do?" routine. The question always comes around to "What does your husband do?" Usually, I get confused looks from people when I say, "My husband is a youth minister. He works with teenagers." Some people immediately stop talking to me the second they hear the scary word "minister". I can almost hear them screaming inside their head..."Run away! Run away! It's the people who marry ten women! They will brainwash you and then eat your children!" (Many thanks to all the crazy cults out there that give Christianity such an intriguing reputation!) Most people

On the wrong side.
I'm not an athlete. (I can hear my close friends laughing right now, as they recall how many "graceful" trips down the stairs I've taken in the past.) It's safe to say I am even prejudiced toward athletes in many regards. I'm working on offering more grace to the more coordinated of our society. Growing up a musician, I witnessed many resources from what seemed a deep pocket delivered directly to the basketball team. I watched new football jerseys grace the semi-talented team on a nearly annual basis. I remember the year our marching band actually purchased new uniforms after ten, or was it fifteen, years of the same old torn smelly uniforms. Let me tell you, it is a weird pla

Blinking to the Mainland.
Tonight's devo with the daughter left me amazed again and wondering who the adult is. She is such an old soul! Tonight we shared how tough it can be to make wise decisions. We talked about the choice to always tell the truth, and how hard it is to be kind to our bullies. Amidst this conversation, she told me about one of the themes in her favorite fairy book series. She is a big fan of fairies. One of the first sentences she ever wrote, at the age of three, was a prayer to God in a little green diary asking to fly. I think that is when her fascination with fairies began. I will keep that diary forever.