I feel that I could share oodles and oodles of stuff with you all. Here I go:
God has been challenging and transforming me. This is not a pain free process. I feel like there isn't one area of my life that He has left untouched. He has been exposing pride, bitterness, lack of trust on and on it goes. Each time He brings something to light, I find myself before Him repenting and processing through what it is He wants to show me. I'm not sure why it's all happening at once, but it is. I have to trust His process even though it's quite overwhelming.
I have been reading a new book, The Church Planting Wife by Christine Hoover. I'm really liking the book. The author does have a more extreme view of women in marriage that I am not in full agreement with, however she does address some great topics related to our hearts (ie. dependence, trust). Truly, how often do we find a book that we fully agree with the author. There are always good things to be learned if the author is a true follower of Christ. Reading this book has begun to stir something in my heart that has existed for a long time.Read these stats:
*65% of church planting wives say their husbands provide their primary emotional support
*59% of CPW's are busy leading one to three major ministries in the church in addition to family, community and personal commitments and have little time for friendship cultivation
*56% of pastor's wives report having no close friends
*80% report having struggled with depression
This makes my blood boil! Why? Because women are dying out there and what are we doing about it? These women have given their lives in service to their King, but who is stepping up to care for them. Bear with me here..yes, there are organizations for pastor's wives and the men themselves are trying their best to care for their wives. But the husband is NOT designed to care for every need of his wife. My personal experience is that most organizations trying to minister to Pastor's wives rarely address the REAL issues. It seems to be an encouraging devotional and then a craft or recipe. Really???????? (My opinionated self is coming out here)
My heart is dreaming of a place where CPW's can share the true issues of their heart and share honestly. To talk about how every area of life is affected by ministry. To share how it's hard and how it can be discouraging. To share how it can be invigorating and joy filled. To share those honest feelings we have about how will our kids respond to being raised in ministry. HONESTY, AUTHENTICITY, REALITY!
I dream of creating this place. But have no idea where to start.. When I get ready in the morning, I have visions of women sitting at tables sharing honestly. Women crying as they open up for the first time and share that they struggle. Visions of praying for healing and wholeness for these women. Women being empowered to be authentic and then being more empowered to minister to their families because they have been released from hiding. This is my dream! Where it starts, I have no idea! It's daunting and breath taking. But somehow it can happen.
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