Confessions of a Church Planter's Wife
Written during pre-launch days
It’s Melissa here! Lee asked me to do a post from the perspective of the “church-planting wife” – that’s one of my job titles right now, unfortunately not a paid position at this point but I’m working on it. =) Anyway, as I sit here and reflect on what to write in a few short paragraphs, I find it hard to articulate my heart on this whole issue – mostly because there is so much to say, so many different emotions, fears, excitements, etc., and each day seems to bring different things to the surface….
I also find, to be brutally honest, that I get weary of it all, this church plant business – I get weary of talking and worrying about the finances of it, esp. with the constant news of the economy blaring in our faces. I get weary of my husband’s time being consumed. I get weary of feeling a little homeless right now since we haven’t fully launched yet but have left Red Mountain – my home church for almost 20 years. I get weary of people trying to make conversation with me and asking “How are things with Harvest going?” because they don’t know what else to ask and I know they won’t understand my response anyway. Actually, I think my shoulders feel a little sore from shrugging a lot since I’m not sure how to respond at times….
But when it comes down to it, there is an inner peace amongst this “wearisome chaos” that can only come from our merciful Lord. The comfort and tranquility of living in obedience to Him is worth these burdens that are just really beginning in this crazy journey. I am so comforted by Paul’s words to the Galatian churches to “not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9). The bottom line is this; this is what God has called us to. Period. Who am I to question what my Father asks me to do? His will is GOOD and what greater calling do we have then to spread the news of His great love??? As cliché as it sounds, PEOPLE NEED JESUS. How foolish is it to let my selfish desire to be comfortable and to have a predictable life get in the way of this calling?!
And so…. I press on, simply put. I take it a day at a time, and try to make as many jokes as possible so Lee and I, and the insane but AMAZING people joining us, will keep laughing and smiling…. Once again, yet another thing I’m not getting paid for…. =)