Sis. Ruth Nichols, wife of VP Rev. Don Nichols, has been a Pastor's wife for over 30 years, and has a true heart for those in Ministry.
You will love her insights as she draws from her many years in pastoral work.
She is the mother of 3 children, and is also a registered nurse.
PARSONAGE LIFE BLESSINGS AND BURDENS This summer at church camp, a questionnaire was given to the pastor’s wives. Two questions were asked about parsonage life. One was, “What do you most enjoy about parsonage life?” and the other was “What do you least enjoy about parsonage life?” Due to the nature of the questions and answers, names won't be given, but a listing of the responses will surely bring smiles and nods of affirmation!
First question - What do you most enjoy about parsonage life?
- Being able to have the church folks over for fellowship. We usually end up around the piano singing hymns. I also enjoy having the children over baking cookies and decorating them at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. They always end up taking all the cookies home for their families. They so enjoy it!
- Planning events and entertaining. I love having people over.
- I enjoy having people over and learning new things about people.
- The privilege of sharing Christ with those who have never known Him; also the privilege of my children being able to witness this.
- Entertaining people.
- I enjoy entertaining and special meetings.
- Being there to help the hurting, working with the children and young people, and watching God answer prayer.
- I love to entertain and give gifts.
- The interaction with the older saints.
- Loving our people, sharing their burdens and upholding our Lord.
- Being a hostess, anticipating and meeting needs of guests.
- It is a good feeling if I feel like I have helped someone. We are very small, but the people we have are very easy to get along with, and that makes things go smoothly in any area.
- Calling on our people, helping them and watching them grow.
- The privilege of our home being opened to our parishioners and friends for fellowship, for food, for serious times of discussion.
- Enjoy keeping the house “company” ready.
- Helping people and serving others.
- The fellowship of church people and evangelists, and being involved in the work of the church.
Second question - What do you least enjoy about parsonage life?
- Trying to keep up with all that is going on, and keeping the parsonage clean is my least favorite thing.
- Being in the spotlight!
- Knowing at anytime someone could stop by, and with kids and toys - making sure everything looks great.
- Balancing full-time availability between the church family and my own family.
- Stretching yourself and realizing you are not meeting up to one main person’s standards.
- The fishbowl effect!! Dealing with people who would not change or help themselves.
- The rush of things!
- Phone calls after midnight and before daylight…that start with “Were you sleeping?”
- Encountering problems and controversies.
- The responsibility! It is scary when we know souls are depending on us.
- The hurt when people do not stay true to our Lord.
- Being expected to have “all the answers”.
- “Sad stories” and phone calls that drag on ~ I am not a “phone” person!
- The book work - our church books and pastor records for the IRS!
- Occasionally people will come in and don’t know when to go home!
- Church problems.
- Some assume that if you live in the parsonage that you are the taxi service, the babysitter, the caterer, the janitor, the groundskeeper…a package deal. In short, feeling taken advantage of at times.
No matter where you serve in the pastorate today, there are blessings and burdens. I am happy to tell you that God sees your “servant heart”, and in due time, He will reward you! Serve passionately, serve patiently, serve positively, and serve prayerfully!
THRIFT TIPS (Submitted by our Minister’s Wives)
- When eating out, drink water. That will save $$$!
- Buy in quantity on good sales - and remember that a label doesn’t necessarily mean better.
- Line dry your clothes when you can. Heat from a dryer will ruin clothes more quickly.
- Give your children time - not things!
- Teach your children hobbies and give them collectables that will make them money.
- Intentionally live below your means.
- Have an extra meatloaf or casserole in the freezer that can be zapped in the microwave. It helps resist the temptation to go out and eat when we are rushed for time or are extra tired.
- Bake several chicken breasts in a cooking bag in the oven. The bag keeps them moist. Then, cut them in small pieces and put a cup or two in a freezer bag for later use in chicken noodles and other casseroles.
- Fry several pounds of hamburger and freeze containers of it for quick sloppy joes and casseroles.
- Most any recipe is still very tasty if you cut amounts of cheese, chocolate chips or nuts way back.
- Use the same menus over - it saves time to make a recipe you are familiar with, and you can buy the ingredients when they are on sale because you know you will use them.
- Don’t do impulse buying!
- Buy food in quantity when things are in season, then can or freeze them.
- Watch for sales.
- Walk instead of riding whenever you can.
- Plan the day you shop to cover all the needs to stretch the gas.
- Always use coupons and discounts
- Invest in a front load washer - has been said to save you the price of the washer in 1-2 years.
- Switch to “twisty” light bulbs, a few at a time.
- Replace expensive oil in brownie, cake and cookie recipes with low cost applesauce - this also trims calories.
- If you are purchasing your own home, now may be an excellent time to refinance. Dropping your interest rate by just a percent can save you thousands over the next few years.
“Earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can“. - John Wesley
As Christian stewards, we have to balance being thrifty and having a generous spirit. God expects both!
Submitted by - Ruth Nichols
October, 2009
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