The cost of ministry… from a spouse’s perspective.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples,” Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (NIV) Matthew 16:24
A commandment that is given to all believers to live out. However, when I met a young man, fell in love and said, “ I do.” I didn’t know it’d be more like our life motto. My husband volunteered in ministry in years before it was his full time gig. One of the hardest things I’ve struggled with him being in ministry is sharing him. So many late nights as he’s led different groups, went to conferences or mission trips or camps. It’s not a normal 8-5 Monday thru Friday job.. and it definitely follows him home.
Over, the years I’ve done my best to come alongside him helping with youth groups or helping with slides, singing in front or helping host groups in our home. Some of the biggest challenges we’ve faced have been feeling called to leave a community, feeling pushed out and then stepping out in faith. We moved our family to be part of a church plant and it was away from everyone and everything we’d ever known. There was no guarantee it’d be work out, but we boldly stepped out in faith blindly.
Honestly, I’ve said it before it was one of the hardest years of our lives. We really had to rely on God and each other. Our foundation in so many ways was shaken to the core. We had moments where we didn’t know how we’d survive, take care our kids and pay our bills. In every moment of literally crying out to the Lord He showed up and provided for us. Fast forward he provided a way home.
Having a door open to bring us home brought a lot of unexpected pain and hurt. In a short time we had a lot of heartache and loss, but ministry still calls. In the following days of my husband facing a heartache he still led worship. It was the most authentic, he held nothing back and literally laid everything down before God and it was so beautiful to witness that. (Now it’s not to say he didn’t have time to grieve he did).
The last year as I navigated through my own grief I questioned if God could use a hot mess like me. Spoiler the answer was yes as I stepped up to fill a role in helping with confirmation class.
Ministry isn’t easy, it’s not always pretty and it‘s downright hard, challenging and not always for everyone. The past fourteen years of marriage I’ve had to navigate for myself what it means to have my spouse in ministry. I’ve struggled with not having a lot of time with him, moving our family and what does it mean to include our family in ministry?
It’s not easy to devote not only yourself but your family in an ongoing, ever changing way of life. But how we parent, love our kids that’s our most important ministry. How we volunteer and come alongside our community is our ministry. It’s not an easy life style, but I don’t know that I would choose anything else.
Posted @withrepost • @prayergals Put God first in all that you do… Life is so much easier and so fulfilling when we work in the flow of God. Putting God first helps to fill our minds with gratitude and it gives us the strength to power through the days. We serve a mighty good God that deserves to be number one in our lives… Put Him first. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #prayergroup #prayingwomenwin #prayergals #prayingwoman #womeninministry #ministrylife #biblewords #godlywomanhood #godlyfriendships #godlyquotes #thankthelord #praiseandworship #praisebreak #godisgood #godsplan #godspeakstome #godspeakss https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj2qUMQuB6sS89zRYy_8XqKJnCLGYKXnQFm6D80/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
New York Here I come. May the doors and the city gates of New York be opened to me, Amen #ministrylife #gospel #princesspatakpabioshow https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg7d1mvAciW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
The National Accountability Bureau has just published 154 job openings for data specialists and Urdu translators. If you are looking for a job with the National Accountability Bureau, you can apply online until February 12, 2024.
Our last Sunday at @tulsafbc {cue deep breaths and grabbing the tissues😭}
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Sometimes God’s calling and required obedience is easy and effortless. Sometimes it hurts and feels painful and confusing. But when we don’t know what God is doing, we can always know Who He is. And who we are to Him. That everything He requires of us is always for our good and His glory! Just as a dad loves to give good gifts to his kids, so does it bring joy to our Heavenly Father to give good gifts to us!! And that He ALWAYS works all things out for the good of those who love Him. This we can KNOW.
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After 16 years of loving and serving the beautiful people at First Baptist Tulsa, OK, God made it crystal clear that we were to follow His calling to an amazing new community at First Baptist Woodway in Waco, TX. I’m not gonna lie...I don’t know how I can hurt so deep, feel so sad, scared and sometimes confused, and yet be feel so excited and full of hope and 100% confidence at the same time. I guess the deeper the love, the harder the hurt is to say goodbye. But it’s not goodbye, really. When you’re connected because of Jesus, you are always connected in Spirit and Truth. And we will be back to visit countless times to see my family and our friends where our roots have grown deep.
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Thank you, First Tulsa, for loving and validating us so hard on Sunday. You are truly our FOREVER friends and family. Please come visit us in Waco soon!!!! You will love it!!! @livebrightguy @tulsafbcstudents
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After church, post-gaming on the jams. This is how we do every week lol. #shekinahchapel #church #riverdale #chicago #chitown #wke #ministrylife #music #musician #life #lit #cray #america #wklegacy #wkwillionaire #artist #thankyoulord #jesus #sundayservice #ministry (at Shekinah Chapel) https://www.instagram.com/p/B87sGWynRjV/?igshid=119c63oh96xh6
MOD Jobs: Ministry Of Defense Vacant Staff Recruitment 2024 Online Application
The most recent announcement for eight or more positions as junior research officers was made by the Ministry of Defense. Apply online for the latest openings at the Ministry of Defense’s staffing department by February 12, 2024, if you’re interested.
21 - The Key Ingredient Forgotten By Many Christians. This week we look at how you can combine the things you hear with tangible actions which will deepen your relationship with #God and give purpose to all of the #information you encounter in your life Available on #iTunes, @Google Play, #Spotify and conwaychristianresources.com #churchlife #authorsofinstagram #author #christianauthor #revelation #jesus #canva #podcast #sermon #foursquarecanada #ministrylife #youthministry #calling #deepthoughts #trustjesus #gospel #sermon #conwaycr (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/By9Jx66lRqH/?igshid=y64n53kfgfkd