Over my thirty odd years as a ministry wife I’ve
rattled a few pots and pans on a Saturday night. The goal: preparing for Sunday company after
church. It’s
run the gamut: new folks, old folks, large groups, small groups, planned out,
impromptu, etc., etc.
While the chore has been the same, my attitude has not
always been. Technically speaking, I was
always serving the Lord in extending hospitality, but I was not always “Making
a joyful noise unto the Lord” or “Serving
the Lord with gladness”. (Psalm 100)
Early on I found myself being resentful. I resented my pastor husband for asking me to
do this again. I resented the
others in our church that weren’t pulling their fair share of the
hospitality load. I resented “the
church” because
they didn’t appreciate how hard we worked. I resented the drain on our finances that
came as a result of so much entertaining. I probably even resented the pots and pans because they didn’t
clean themselves!
Over the years the Lord has been kind to give me an “attitude
adjustment”. My “aha”
moment came when I understood that when I am discontented
and resentful, it is no one but the Lord that I am railing against. In His sovereignty He ordained that I would
serve Him as a pastor’s wife and hospitality was part and
parcel of that role. My grousing was
against no one else but Him. “Against
you and you only have I sinned.” (Psalm
51) I was being stingy with my time, selfish with my gifts, and feeling sorry
for myself as I let myself feel overworked and underappreciated. I was playing the Martha role well!
I was missing the joy of serving the Lord and others out of
a grateful heart! What a kind thing the Lord has done to completely change all
that around. Now I really enjoy this
role that He has given to me. I
honestly look forward to serving the Lord as I serve others through
hospitality. I pray for our guests
before they come. While I am cleaning,
setting up, and preparing the food, I often try to think how this opportunity
of fellowship and food might be a special blessing to the particular people
that we have invited. I try to think of
extra ways that I can be part of meeting their special needs. I actually get excited about them
coming. No longer am I resentful and discontented
and murmuring under my breath.
My pots are still rattling on our Saturday night
rendezvous. However, if they could talk, they might speak about the difference
the Lord has made in my life.
About the author: A
pastor's wife for 32 of her 40 years as a wife, Marg Maguire, is also certified
as a Biblical counselor with ACBC (Association of Certified Biblical
Counselors, formerly NANC). One of her biggest joys is helping women apply the
truths of the Bible to their lives. She has been a women’s retreat speaker,
Bible study leader, and has taught a basic Biblical counseling course to women
when they were last in Uganda two years ago. She lives with her husband, Jerry,
in Concord, Massachusetts, where they serve Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA).
For fun Marg enjoys scrapbooking and making cards. Their daughter and son-in-law live in the
Baltimore/Washington, DC area.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Join the conversation!
All comments become the property of Sunday Women.
COMMENTING HINTS: If you are baffled by the "Comment As_____" choices, you can simply select "Anonymous" and include your name in the comment.