I want to tackle a little mini series here on our Minister’s Wife Monday column… but…
As silly as it may sound, I’m having a bit of difficulty feeling like this Minister’s Wife column is getting off the ground. I know, I know… it’s just the second post.
My problem isn’t a lack of ideas to write about. Goodness, those ideas keep me up at night!
The trouble for me is pinning down one topic to write about each week… because I want to tackle everything all at once. Of course, I can’t do that. I mean, that would entail writing a book or something. 🙂 I don’t see book writing as being part of my immediate or far away (or maybe ever) future, so I need to get this blog column thing on it’s feet.
And I would dearly love your input!
Maybe it’s just me, but does loneliness seem like a big deal for a lot of ministry wives? I know it has been a big deal (at times) for me, and I seriously doubt I’m the only one who has struggled with feelings of isolation and just longing for someone who really “gets” me.
I’ve been prayerfully considering this issue of loneliness as it relates to preacher’s wives, and a few specific topics came to mind:
- when it feels like your husband doesn’t understand you (perhaps the deepest kind of loneliness a woman can experience!)
- when you live far away from your family because of ministry
- when you don’t really have any like-minded friends
Do any of these loneliness-issues ring a bell with you?
What other topics related to loneliness would you like to talk about here at the blog?
How has loneliness affected you as a wife? How has it affected your family?
I would like to devote a post for each of these topics (and perhaps any others you can think of), so maybe we can spread this “loneliness in ministry” mini-series out over the next three or four weeks.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this issue.
Has loneliness ever been a part of your life as a minister’s wife? How so?
One issue that I seem to face is that sometimes people in the church aren’t always on board with how my husband (Youth Pastor) does youth ministry. Most people are all for reaching the next generation, but some are just not. So, I feel like it puts a wall up between myself and other people. Another thing is that I feel like some of my casual friends are intimidated by me, thinking (wrongly!) that I have it all together, or that I’m on some different level. I really appreciate you taking the time to address the issues that ministry wives face! Looking forward to whatever topics you choose, I know it’ll be great!
All of the above are definitely issues. On the other side of the coin, do you have any tips for reaching out to others? If we are all on the loneliness scale then we also need to reach out to another (lonely) minister’s wife.
The ministry certainly is a place of loneliness, not only for the wife, but also for the children. I would also like to see that addressed – how we as Mom’s can help our children.
Thank you for this series and the thought & time behind it all!
Let me start by saying I am not the wife of a pastor. However, the topic of loneliness grabbed my attention and after reading your post, I felt I needed to respond. I am the Christian Education Director at our church and I am REALLY struggling with loneliness right now. I feel like I don’t have any “true” friends. It’s very difficult when your job is at the place where you’re supposed to be fed spiritually. Often, I’m bombarded with questions, issues, crises, etc. when I just want to pray or worship like everyone else. I can’t just hang out with my friends from church, because talk always goes back to something involving work. I love love love my job, but sometimes I feel like I can’t just be me. I look forward to reading your future posts!!!