That's what my husband says on Monday mornings, when he leaves for work with a sermon already on his mind. He's on the clock, and time is ticking away.
Sunday's coming.
I imagine that our worship leader, Joseph, senses the urgency as well as he listens for the Spirit's leading, chooses songs, gathers the team for practice, and prepares his own heart for Sunday's corporate worship.
Sunday's coming.
Adam, our pastor overseeing children's ministry, is likely enlisting teachers, collecting materials, and plotting creative ways to teach the gospel to young hearts that will gather in a few days.
Sunday's coming for me, too. I'm the pastor's wife. I won't preach or sing or lead the children this Sunday. In fact, it might appear to most people that I won't do much at all. But I know the truth. I know and embrace that God has given me unique holy orders to help my husband and minister to others, mostly in unseen ways.
I'm praying, as I do every Sunday morning, that my eyes would turn outward toward others and upward toward the Lord in worship, that I would not think about myself or my silly insecurities, that I would hear from the Lord and bless Him with how I love others.
I'm praying that God would ordain conversations, that He would lead me to specific people who need encouragement, prayer, or even a simple welcome.
I'm considering my gifts and saying no to good things that pull me away from where I know God wants to use me. My excitement about exercising my gifts is growing as I anticipate Sunday.
I'm remembering my children. How can I help them learn and grow at church? How can I balance my service in the church with my mothering priorities on Sunday?
I'm reminding myself of how Jesus said that it's better to give than to receive. For that reason, I am making mental notes of people I want to pursue on Sunday morning: those who are hurting, those who I have been praying for, those who I've been thinking about.
In all of it, outward and upward.
Because Sunday's coming.
15 comments:
Another comforting message... Christine, God bless you!
I LOVE this post! A pastor, a worship leader, a pastors wife, a new member, we should all be preparing our hearts as you have mapped out, cause Sunday is always coming :) Thank you for this reminder, I really like your heart, and your perspective, especially that "I would not think about myself or my silly insecurities", and I would add, or what people might think about my clothing or hair!
I just "stumbled" across your blog, and I wanted to say thank you! I am a young, new elder's wife, with a young and growing family, and I've been encouraged as I've read some of your posts. I read you saying truths that I think, which is affirming, and I'm also gleaning wisdom from a lady a bit further down the road. Thanks again!
Thank you! I so often forget in the hurry of getting my little one and I there as a "single" mama on Sundays, that God has appointments to use me as well as he does me hubby. :) And good to know I am not alone in those silly P.W. insecurities. ;) A new reader and so appreciating and enjoying your gracious encouragement.
I love this Christine! What a great reminder of our role and how we should prepare for Sundays just as our husbands do. Thanks for sharing this!! I hope you're doing well.
Welcome, Rachel!
You're definitely not alone in your insecurities.
Welcome to the blog! I'm thankful you came my way.
I just found your blog and LOVE this post! I am so happy to stumble upon it and am now a reader.
Great outlook on Sundays. I find it hard to find that balance of mothering on Sundays and encouraging others. I feel like one area is going to suffer and I probably just need to get it out of my head that both will ever be perfect on any given day let alone Sundays. I find Sundays particularly hard in the mornings - do you? As much as I try to "prepare" and have everything ready and thought out....there almost always seems to be a curve ball in the form of missing shoes, holes in tights or other rare forms of drama. Ha! Praying your Sunday will be filled with the wonderful mystery of Christ and sweet sense of His Spirit among your body of believers
Welcome, Wendy!
Yes, Melody, I can totally relate. I do feel like Sunday mornings are the hardest. That's why I have to mentally prepare and make sure I'm up early to spend time in the Word. I have to get my mind and heart right before I go into the crazy few hours that is church. I also feel like it's hard to do both the mom and the pastor's wife role really well, so, yes, it takes remembering that I won't be perfect at either, but have a heart to listen to the Spirit's leading.
I am a pastor's wife and this blog post blessed me to no end. Thank you for all these lovely reminders.
I am inspired to write about how I prepare. Thank you!
I found your blog late last night - I am so grateful for your words. I have been dreading Sundays lately. I worry about what people are going to say about my husband, or my children, and that I am expected to do more than I feel able. I am going to spend some time with my bible and focus on outward and upward! Thanks for the blessing. I just might enjoy tomorrow. :)
This makes me very happy :)
I'm just found your blog and was so happy because of the encouragement i got.
Post a Comment