Keeping the Home Fires Burning
As a pastor's wife, I feel my primary role is to be a support to Dan and my family in this fishbowl called the pastorate. I want home to be a place where they feel loved, supported, and cared about. A place where they can be themselves. A place where they can let out a sigh of satisfaction.
I fail quite often, but my goal is always to keep the home fires burning. To make our "borrowed" house a home. And this is a lot of the reason I stay home.
Some ways I've kept the home fires burning this week....
♥ I sent a care package to Stephen.
♥ Made a new budget to reflect our new income and expenses.
♥ Was able to take the time to go with my husband and get together with other area pastors and their wives for lunch.
♥ Ironed my husband's shirts.
♥ Helped encourage Nathan to follow up on a job interview (by the way, he got the job and starts next week)!
♥ Did numerous loads of laundry.
♥ Encouraged Emily in her school work.
♥ Was a sounding board for Dan.
♥ Lifted Dan and our children up in prayer each day.
♥ Fielded phone calls for my husband.
♥ Did all the little "Mickey Mouse" tasks such as paperwork that Dan hates doing.
♥ Put a hot dinner on the table each night.
♥ Kept the house clean for not just company, but my family.
♥ Baked cookies for the kids and Dan to grab whenever they want.
♥ Chatted with my son away at college via the internet and phone.
♥ Sewed items to sell in a tea shop.
♥ Worked on my newest book, both this and the item above are ways I help contribute to our family income.
♥ Kept in touch with our church family via email and facebook during the week.
♥ Saved money by making almost everything we eat from scratch.
♥ Used my spiritual gifts in ministry that compliment my husband's gifts.
My role as I see it is to continue to keep those home fires burning. To keep things running smoothly at home so my husband will be a more effective pastor.
I'm very thankful that God has allowed me this privilege in my life. Time to go stoke the fire! (Figuratively that is since we have a gas fire place in the new house) :-)
I fail quite often, but my goal is always to keep the home fires burning. To make our "borrowed" house a home. And this is a lot of the reason I stay home.
Some ways I've kept the home fires burning this week....
♥ I sent a care package to Stephen.
♥ Made a new budget to reflect our new income and expenses.
♥ Was able to take the time to go with my husband and get together with other area pastors and their wives for lunch.
♥ Ironed my husband's shirts.
♥ Helped encourage Nathan to follow up on a job interview (by the way, he got the job and starts next week)!
♥ Did numerous loads of laundry.
♥ Encouraged Emily in her school work.
♥ Was a sounding board for Dan.
♥ Lifted Dan and our children up in prayer each day.
♥ Fielded phone calls for my husband.
♥ Did all the little "Mickey Mouse" tasks such as paperwork that Dan hates doing.
♥ Put a hot dinner on the table each night.
♥ Kept the house clean for not just company, but my family.
♥ Baked cookies for the kids and Dan to grab whenever they want.
♥ Chatted with my son away at college via the internet and phone.
♥ Sewed items to sell in a tea shop.
♥ Worked on my newest book, both this and the item above are ways I help contribute to our family income.
♥ Kept in touch with our church family via email and facebook during the week.
♥ Saved money by making almost everything we eat from scratch.
♥ Used my spiritual gifts in ministry that compliment my husband's gifts.
My role as I see it is to continue to keep those home fires burning. To keep things running smoothly at home so my husband will be a more effective pastor.
I'm very thankful that God has allowed me this privilege in my life. Time to go stoke the fire! (Figuratively that is since we have a gas fire place in the new house) :-)
In total agreement with you on this one. Right at the beginning of ministry, we felt it right that I should not work full-time outside the home, but rather be there as a support. I've been able to pick up supply [substitute] teaching jobs here and there, but still be free when I have been needed for Bob, the girls, or the church [locally, regionally and nationally] and had the opportunity to use my Godgiven gifts in His Service. We have never been excessively rich, and careful budgetting has always been important - but God is SO faithful, and He has always provided over and above our needs.Manse life can be a 'fishbowl' sometimes- but the last 35 years with Bob have been wonderful, I wouldn't ask to change this life.
ReplyDeleteNo open fires here either- but heating is on, we had our first snow of winter yesterday!! Blessings to you and yours, Terri - you are my sister in Christ x x
I feel the same way, Angela! Thank you for commenting because it's always good to hear from someone who also has experienced the "fish bowl." lol Have a blessed day!
DeleteYou did good at keeping the home fires burning!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbie!
DeleteYou are a wonderful wife and mother, Terri. I'm so glad Nathan got a job!
ReplyDeleteGod bless, Kathy in Illinois
Thank you, Kathy!
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