Today we are continuing with Liz's encouragement to receive help and grace from our husbands in the key areas of life.
3. Gifts and abilities that I really need
God amazingly handpicks our husbands for us. In so many areas where I am weak, Gene is strong. One area would be in the area of administration. Gene is organized, and I am not! I haven’t always appreciated his strength, because beside him I see my disorganization. But as I have humbled myself and asked for help, God has used his wisdom in this area to grow me - and continues to do so. I am very grateful!4. Loving covering for my role in the church.Gene is constantly encouraging me in my role of Biblical womanhood in the home and in the church. He helps me see that as a pastor’s wife I am not pastoring the women; which enables me to experience the “ pleasant yoke” that Jesus wants me to carry. I can freely serve the women as their friend, and leave pastoring to the pastors! This concept has brought a real freedom in my heart, especially in the last few years.Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t always appreciate God’s grace to me through Gene. I can be contentious, not wanting to listen to his advice. My pride gets in the way when I want my own way rather than respecting his opinions and wonderful Biblical counsel. But as I humble my heart and we talk about these issues together, the Holy Spirit is so faithful to convict me of the haughtiness or disrespect in my heart. I am so grateful for God’s on-going work in changing me!I could go on and on (I’m sure you could, too!). But it is important to regularly stop and reflect on what an amazing gift of grace God has given to us through them. This cultivates a thankfulness in our hearts to God for how kind He has been to us.Last year as pastors' wives we read chapter two in the book, Helper by Design titled “His Companion, His Helper” to stir our love and respect for our husbands. Then we studied the word “respect” in Ephesians 5:33, taking the synonyms for the word respect from the Amplified Bible (notice, regard, honor, prefer, venerate, esteem, defer, praise, love and admire), defining them, and meditating on the amazing variety of ways to cultivate respect. Finally, we read the inspiring letter written by Pam Bloom to her husband, Jon Bloom, Executive Director of Desiring God Ministries. (http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/Author/36_pam_bloom/), and each of us wrotea note of encouragement to our husband. It was a wonderful experience to focus on and appreciate the tremendous gift that God has given each of us.
