Who Are You?

Many of us approach the ministry with preconceived ideas of what a minister's wife should be. We model ourselves after the ministers' wives we knew growing up—trying either to be like them or to avoid being like them. Often we try to live up to an imaginary image of perfection we cannot attain.

A stock joke in the early days of our ministry was that a good minister's wife “played the piano, sang alto and looked good at conventions.” We have laughed at that, but humor often reveals thoughts we find difficult to verbalize. What this joke reveals is the understanding that, unlike any other profession, a minister's wife is very much a part of her husband's ministry.

Maturing as a minister's wife includes cutting the cord that ties us to past conceptions of ministry. We are each unique individuals, created by God for a distinct purpose. No matter how wonderful (or terrible) our role models may have been, they are only that: role models. They are examples to be followed, not cookie-cutters to define our parameters.

An important step in maturity is separating ourselves to look inward for understanding and upward for direction before we look outward to the need. When we accept ourselves as God created us and look to Him for guidance, we are in position to be used of Him to bless others. It was a great day for me when I decided that others might be peaches, plums, or CrackerJacks®, but I would just be the maraschino cherry God intended me to be.

Prayer for this week:

Lord, this week help me to see myself as You see me, to look beyond my weaknesses and see the strengths You give me. Let me become the person You intend me to be so You can bless others through me.

Next Week: What do you say about yourself?

Recommended Reading:

Being Good to Your Husband on Purpose by Becky Hunter, Creation House Press, ©2001. Available from Gospel Publishing House at www.gospelpublishinghouse.com.