I am a Christian, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend. I am my own unique person called by God to my own unique ministry AND I was called to marry a pastor. I am a pastor's wife, I live in a pastor's home and I raise pastor's kids. I live in a fishbowl. I live in a place that many find intriguing, that some envy and that others just want to watch...to press their nose against the glass and see how we swim around this thing we call "our life." There are preconceived ideas about what it must be like to be a part of the pastor's family and live in his home: our laundry is supernaturally cleaned, our groceries appear in our refrigerator like manna from Heaven and our children flow in the anointing 24/7 thus ensuring us a life without hair-pulling or gnashing of teeth! Ha!
You may be wondering, why on Earth is she doing this? Because I like "real" people, and I'm willing to bet that you do too. We're just real people doing our best to live the life that God has called us to. And that's exactly what you should be doing as well. We're not super-spiritual and and we don't have a more direct line to God than you do. We are obedient, plain and simple. We read the Word of God, we believe it to be true and we work very hard to follow what it says. We believe that a relationship with Jesus Christ Monday-Saturday is key to seeing something happen on Sunday. We just live what we expect other Christians to live, and we don't follow any preconceived expectations that don't have any Biblical basis. I have been known to wear jeans and a baseball cap to church. Gasp! Why? Because my clothes do not determine my relationship with my Savior. And because sometimes that is just me...that is real...and I think people relate to real. Or at least I do.
You may be reading this because you are one of my closest friends and nothing on this blog can surprise you because you've seen my life inside and out. You may be reading this because you don't know me very well and you'd like to get a better idea of what makes me tick, what makes me the crazy person that I am. You may be one of the dozen or so people who have asked me to write a book because apparently my little stories on Facebook (just the facts and drama of my life) are entertaining. You may be one of those who is intrigued by this glass house we live in. Or you may just not believe me when I say that we're a lot like most people...you may see my husband and our family and think there is a secret to happiness that we're not sharing with you. But I assure you, it's not a secret, just choices we make.
So let me invite you to the fishbowl. Pull up a chair, stick your nose to the glass. You are invited to get a glimpse of my life. You may be surprised to see that it is not much different than yours...or, at least, it shouldn't be.
Yah first comment, keep em coming. Your posts make me laugh, I think your blog will make me think
ReplyDeleteCool keep up the good work. You must wear ballcaps on Wednesday night to church then, because i don't see you wearing one all that often. Remember to have fun with this and not make your blog a chore. like I said earlier keep up the good work. I think this will be either a wakeup call or an encouragement to those read it.
ReplyDeleteJaci, this is such a great idea.I knew you as a young girl and was blessed to be one of your teachers.You were such an interesting person then as you are now.My husband, Randy grew up being a pastor's son and has told me many stories of how they grew up.I also have a nephew in Williamsburg,Va and he and his wife Valerie are pastors.They are such an awesome couple.Valerie is from Moscow,Russia and they have a little girl name Anastasia.It is so great to see children grow up going to church from the time they were born,It gives them such a strong foundation to build there walk with Jesus.These are the blessed ones.We must continue to pray for the ones that do not have that opportunity.I always thought of myself as a good person growing up even though I didn't know much about Christ as a young child..but God had a plan for my life.he brought Randy into my life when I was 27 and my life changed so much.I don't know if others do this, but I relate myself and the people I meet to the people in the Bible.I think of myself as Ruth.She married and took her husband's family as her own.Even after her husband died she followed his mother,Naomi, in life.It was hard for me to leave my family behind and the ways that I lived.But when we got here, I was placed in a strong christian family.I became a pastor's daughter-in-law.It was one of the greatest blessings I have recevied in life.Enjoy your walk in life as a pastor's wife.I am so proud of you.You are still a remarkable person and my life was blessed to have crossed path with your life,even if it was only for a short while.Love, you.Mrs.Bullock.
ReplyDeleteWay to go.............we are all in fishbowls whether we like it or not. I am not sure if I will have my nose pressed to the glass looking in or looking out..... may press it up against the glass looking out ready to say Boo! What freedom you are giving people to risk being who God created them to be. Way to go Jaci.....in the fishbowl with you Jan
ReplyDeleteOh, boy, this is going to be fun!!! About the time I think I know everything there is to know about you, you will surprise me! You really are a beautiful woman of God, a loving (and patient...hee hee) wife, an incredible mamma, a faithful friend, and the most amazing daughter I could ever hope for. Bring it on, baby!
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ReplyDeleteLove your blog Jaci! Can you send some supernatural laundry folding my way? cause right now the pile is as tall as I am...seriously.
ReplyDelete(sorry had to edit my typos, lol...)