I wrote this several years ago and much of it is in my “ Confessions of an Unlikely Pastor’s wife. Maybe it will help someone today,

1. Success in ministry is God’s business. I need to be faithful to what He is asking me.

2. God is our provider. Salary is important- but not as big a deal to God as it is to us when He is asking us something that seems impossible.

3. Christians-even leaders, people who call you friends, can behave badly and can disappoint you and hurt you. You are not the only one going through this.

4. Just because key people leave a church, does not mean it will end the ministry. Sometimes while painful, God is in it. Trust Him.

5. I cannot do everything or please everyone. I will let people down. So will my husband. We need to take our direction from God. When we do fail, we need to ask God for forgiveness and whomever we let down. Sometimes apologies are not enough. We have to live with that. People leave the church.

6. There are seasons in ministry.

7. I need to stay intimately in tune with God and walk closely with Him. He alone strengthens me for the ministry. Holidays are wonderful, but it never replaces the importance of time with Jesus.

8. Remember, just because ministry is hard, does not mean God has something easier for you to do. As nice as that may be sometimes. God will show us when it is time to move on. How things are going is not always the measurement God uses.

9. Great Pastors have great spouse who cheers for them and believes in them every day. A pastor who is beaten down at home will not thrive in ministry- nor will a Pastor’s wife who is treated unkindly or inconsiderately. If you want to have a great Pastor’s wife, be a great husband, loving, kind, and complimentary.

10. Guard your relationship with your spouse. This goes both ways. If you think the temptation to cheat will never come to either of you, then you are sadly mistaken. The devil is happy to destroy your marriage. Be careful and be wise.