Any Advice Dear Pastor's Wife?

I sat across the table from her, hearing her heart and feeling the same familiar ache in my own.

She spoke of "them" and all the things that "they" had done. She was careful not to single out names, but I knew who she meant, not specific individuals, but deacons, other staff members, personnel committee members and other church lay leaders.

At times she fought tears, she was hurt. At other times, fire took the place of the tears in her eyes, she was angry. There were also moments of fear as she talked about the uncertainty of their young family's future. How would they make the house payment?

I hurt for my friend. On so many levels I could relate. My husband and I had been in a VERY similar situation. I could finish her sentences when she started to share their wonders if this church had ever been God's will or just their own desires.

I know those doubts, those fears, those feelings of hurt and anger. Perhaps you do too. Too many of us in ministry have "been there, done that" and have the t-shirts (literally!) to prove it.

By no means would I consider myself an expert on dealing with these types of situations. I have similar experiences and close friends who are in ministry who have shared their hearts and hurts with me. I'm sure you do too.

I thought I would use my week to blog to share some of the encouragement I tried to give my dear friend. In the meantime, is there some exhortation that you would want me to pass on to this dear sister? Do you have a Bible verse or passage that has carried you through a similar situation?