Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.  Psalm 51:10-12

I recently heard a great quote: “Let us never lose sight of the awesomeness of God”. Think about it: Do we truly contemplate His awesomeness on a daily basis or do we forget how amazing “saved by grace alone” really is? Do we gloss over the words in the creed about Jesus being born of a virgin, suffering under Pontius Pilate, being crucified, buried and RISING FROM THE DEAD or do we remember His great love for us that prompted all those actions?
Over the weekend I talked with a recent Seminary graduate’s wife. She excitedly told me about her husband’s assignment, gleefully showed me pictures of their church and parsonage and gushed over the growth this congregation has experienced. I admit to you, that while I shared her enthusiasm on the outside, inside I was thinking things like, “The house looks nice, but you might have mice. We did. Even a beautiful house gets lonely when you’re all by yourself most of the time. I am. After you’re there awhile, those members will say unkind things about you or your husband or your children. Been there.
I am thankful that the Holy Spirit held my tongue and I think I fooled her. When I was alone with my guilty conscience, I confessed my sin of discontentment to my Heavenly Father. Where was my “willing spirit?” Where was that eager Pastor’s wife who chatted excitedly about her husband’s ministry not all that long ago? Where was my joy?!
As partners with our husbands, we DO live in the fishbowl. Our husbands DO serve in the public ministry, so we may not have the same level of privacy other families enjoy. Our children ARE held to different standards. That’s just the way it is. However, our children also are blessed with lots of aunts, uncles, grandmas and grandpas who cherish them and pray for them and take great pride in their accomplishments. Our families are invited to many Confirmations, weddings, baptisms and birthdays and our church family becomes ever dearer to us. I also believe we are prayed for in a mighty way by the people we serve. And then there’s worship. Do you ever just go to church and you’re simply amazed? Amazed by the perfect, powerful message of God that He allows your husband to share with others? Amazed by the gifts God has given your husband to carry out his ministry? Amazed that the Almighty God cares for you and His Spirit prays for you? Amazed that your name is written in the Book of Life? There’s my joy. It’s no coincidence that I find it in church. My joy is found in Jesus; in hearing His Word and spending time in His presence. 

Ask The Lord
I pray that the joy of your salvation renews your tired soul each and every day. Let’s not stop encouraging one another in our daily journey until we gather together around the throne of God where we will be truly AMAZED at the sight of Jesus!