I have a lot of thoughts today…go figure! Here are a few:
- I love it when I feel like my kids need me…it feeds my ego - but, when they start to cry (especially when they’re only seven and they’re trying so hard to be brave), when they start to cry, it paralyzes me…Ethan said, “Please take me home Mommy…” - because things were so chaotic at school this morning when I dropped him off. I just got myself a visitor’s badge and stayed until he was okay. Good thing his class is filled with cute girls or I might still be there!
- Sideways rain, hot coffee and an umbrella in high wind is a recipe for disaster…or at least some comic relief for onlookers…
- If you own a home that you are leasing, and you have a company “managing” it for you - you might want to check into how well they are managing it…especially with storms like Central Florida has had…just a thought. There are some pretty unscrupulous real estate/management companies in Orlando…Byron and I have had a good deal of experience with this - and are happy to share the knowledge we’ve…acquired. (FYI)
- I just read a blog - written by another pastor’s wife - she shares her recent experience with the ugly side of all that comes with being in the ministry…mainly the judgments some Christians put on you when you’re the wife of a pastor. I’ve added Brandi to my blogroll so check her out.
- I am now so blessed to be surrounded by such encouragement and support - from the other C3 pastor’s wives, to the staff, to the membership…and even the seekers. I remember what it felt like to live with constant judgment and expectation - but, now, it’s like a slap in the face when I observe or experience this because it’s so absent from my world. At C3, we have the privilege to be ourselves - and so many Christians loathe this freedom when they see it.
- When you live in bondage, you can’t stand to see others live in freedom - I remember one person saying to me, “Angie, your problem is that you just don’t care enough what people think of you!”…really? Gaining freedom has cost me more than I could’ve ever imagined, but it’s so worth it…
Anyway, there are just a few of my thoughts…please keep sharing yours with me.
Peace…
I read Brandi’s and I , also, was blown away by the judgement of others. Since I have been a part of ministry my whole life (a PK, now married to a pastor), I’ve always had that feeling of living in a fishbowl…my every move being watched.
It hasn’t been until just recently that I’ve felt true freedom to be who I am…the person God created me to be. I no longer feel like I have to live up to everybody else’s expectations…I finally realized that’s not possible! Thank you for being so authentic and showing by your example what being real means! I admire you so much for your strength! Great blog!
Oh my…real estate management companies…we should talk! Let’s just say we’ve had our share of issues, too.
Also- I was out in the crazy rain earlier with my umbrella and…my umbrella just BROKE, leaving me getting soaked in the rain! I can laugh about it now…
Monica, you can get “soaked” by faulty umbrellas AND certain companies too!
Amanda - we have this heritage in common…thanks for keepin’ it real - I love the real you, btw!
thanks for the link angie, i’m so delighted to know you enjoyed what i had to say. i actually love being married to a pastor and consider myself blessed, even when people i don’t even know choose to speak “truth” into my life!
Brandi, freedom is, indeed, a beautiful thing!
Look forward to reading more of your journey. Peace to you - and a lifetime supply of salt, so you can add a grain with each nugget of “truth”……
It hurts me so much when my kids cry. When I drop Barrett off at school, his lower lip turns down and starts to quiver and it feels like someone punched me in the stomach! I must turn away and not look back!
I’m sure the rain/coffee/umbrella incident wasn’t funny when it happened…but probably really funny now!
I read Brandi’s blog as well…it blows my mind how judgemental people can be! Although nothing surprises me anymore! I love that you and the other C3 wives are so real! Ya’ll are such an inspiration and I admire each one of you!
Thanks for being YOU!
Alison, not every pastor’s wife has such great friends…I’M SOOO LUCKY!!!
Ethan’s tears hung with me all day…made me feel drearier than the weather….when he got home he said, “Mommy I missed you!”, but he said he had fun…
…I must admit it’s nice to be missed, though.
Thanks for the kind words…like aloe for the soul!
Angie,
As someone going to have to deal with a real estate management company, maybe you should warn us who to steer clear of. Of course, if it’s the house God wants us in and the neighborhood he wants us in, then I guess we will have to deal with them. Of course after all we have dealt with and what keeps coming, I know God can help us with that too. Our car is in the shop, and our house is seeping water in through the cracks and the edges of the outside walls. Guess it is good they have not replaced the carpet yet. It is getting easier and easier to think of leaving this house
I will always need you mommy
and I know you will ALWAYS be there!
<3
Patti, we are praying for you through all of this…as to the companies to steer clear of - WE’LL TALK!! Thanks for the birthday wishes….Love you too.
Kayleigh…..so true, so true….
I love you too - 87 hours of grueling labor ring a bell?