Have you ever been asked a question but before you can adequately answer, the person asking the question thinks they know more about what you’re going to say than you do, or they totally disagree with the beginning of your story and you are never able to make it to the end? I can’t tell you how many times I have been asked a question never to be allowed the opportunity to fully answer the question. And the funny thing is, it’s about me, my family, my history, not debatable, just facts of what I have lived and experienced, my story, but someone knows more than I do about my own life.

Having experienced over 25 years of the pastorate, in the role of pastor’s wife, I can tell you this isn’t anything new. I have been buttonholed and battered by believers more than I ever have by a non-believer. From all I have experienced, YES, EXPERIENCED, from my wealth of knowledge, YES, KNOWLEDGE, I am one of those individuals that have every reason to turn their back on the Church!

Sometimes I do grow weary in doing good, sometimes I do want to give up, sometimes I don’t want to love, sometimes I get angry, sometimes I fail, BUT I always get back up because my heart belongs to Christ, my Savior and Redeemer and Lord! He desires believers to live in unity, peace, love and joy (John 17). And as far as it’s possible for me (Romans 12:18), that’s what I plan to do, not perfectly, not flawlessly, but zealously for HIS GLORY, because HE asked me to. He deserves my commitment and loyalty. I have been united with Christ, so it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20). HE asked me to love, live in unity and pray for the brethren (1 Timothy 2:1). And, He asked me to partner with Him in building His Church (Matthew 16:18; 28:18-19)! He is the reason I go!

Who have you allowed to derail your witness and service to the King of Kings?

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”

James 3:17-18, NLT