When I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a teacher. I always thought it would be in a school setting {and I do actually homeschool now}. As I became a teenager and developed my musical abilities more, my thoughts turned to the possibility of teaching music {and I do teach music now}. 🙂

Interestingly, when I did meet my husband to be, he was studying music. At the time I had no thoughts of him becoming my husband. Sometime during his second year of college, he felt God calling him to switch majors. Yes, you guessed it: he switched to a pastoral major. And by then we were thinking about our future together. During the next few years in Bible college, I was privileged to watch God shaping and moulding my fiancee into a Godly man with a passionate pastor’s heart, which he still has today.

While ministry has held some very dark valleys for us, I can honestly say today {almost 9 years into ministry} that I truly LOVE being a pastor’s wife. I would be lying if I told you that I have felt that way from the beginning, or that I have always felt that way. But through the years as God has gently turned my face to look at His through every circumstance, I’ve learned to love being a shepherd’s wife. Here are some of my top reasons:

1. I love being a pastor’s wife because I get to be an integral part of my husband’s ‘job.’

Pastors struggle with coming home from the office and leaving work at work. Aside from being on call, they carry burdens 24/7 for their own family, and for many families in the church.  I’m so thankful that we can share these burdens together with a mutual understanding and focus. For me personally, my husband’s work is as much a part of my life as my work as a wife and mother. His burdens are my burdens. His joys are mine. We share life together. We do ministry side by side. It is a gift!

2. I love being a pastor’s wife because I can invest my life in the soul care of others.

Providing soul care for people is a very rewarding occupation! It may be akin to how a doctor feels when he saves someone’s life.  And while every pastoral couple sees ministry casualties from time to time, we also see successes and growth!  We get fulfillment and motivation out of praying for God’s wisdom, counseling someone, and seeing God begin to change them. There is nothing more thrilling than seeing someone begin to get a passion for the things of God- for prayer and outreach, for general Godly living. I absolutely love praying for and with other ladies, and hearing about how God is working in their lives.

3. I love being a pastor’s wife because it keeps me accountable and growing spiritually.

If ever there was a thing in my life that continually shows me where I need to grow, it’s being a pastor’s wife. Spiritual leaders carry a lot of responsibility to have a genuine Godly testimony.

When I was in college, I had an almost daily prayer that left my lips as a plea. Sometimes I even said it out loud, under my breath, “God! Please don’t let me be mediocre! Please don’t let me be average!” I don’t know why that desire was so fiery in my heart, but I know one thing: God answered that request. He has chosen to send me through some pretty intense trials that have ‘kept me on my toes’ when it comes to spiritual growth.  In the darkest valleys I have prayed “God, please keep my heart tender toward You. Don’t let me get hard!” When I get apathetic, He draws me closer and revives my heart, encouraging me to be real and Godly in all of my relationships, both at home, at church, and in the world.  Secondarily to nurturing my relationship with God out of a heart of love for Him, being a pastor’s wife keeps me motivated to work hard at it.

4. I love being a pastor’s wife because it has taught me how to experience God’s grace in practical ways.

Since I’ve become a pastor’s wife, I’ve done things I never dreamed I was capable of. I’ve done things I said I would never do.  Somehow over time, and sometimes through paralyzing fear {who said we shouldn’t do things we’re afraid of?} I have learned how to rely on God and to receive His amazing grace. A simple yet wonderful definition of grace is this: God’s supernatural enabling to do His will. 

It means whispering to God “I can’t do this. But you can. Please do _________ through me.” It means choosing to be weak, and then it means watching Him work. I’ve never gotten over the miracle of it, and I hope I never do.

5. I love being a pastor’s wife because it proves that God uses flawed vessels for His glory.

I love being prompted by God to minister to different people as He lays them on my heart. And even if I can’t see the results here on earth, I am overwhelmed at the realization that God wants to use such an imperfect me to mirror His shepherding skills in others’ lives!  I am so privileged and honoured to have been chosen to serve with a man who desires to be an earthly shepherd. If I zeroed in on my own unworthiness, I would be pretty useless. But when I’m full-faced towards my God, I get to watch Him do some pretty amazing things.

And this makes me the most blessed woman on the planet.

Let’s chat in the comments! If you’re a pastor’s wife, what do you enjoy most about the role God has given you?