Last week and this week, our wellness blog is devoted to ministry spouses and their wellness. If you are a married church worker and your spouse does not currently receive “SED Connect,” please forward these articles to them or ask them to sign up to receive these emails. We would love the opportunity to connect. Thank you.
Greetings and God’s peace, ministry spouses!
Last week in Part 1 of this series, we talked about the importance of spiritual life and breath for spouses of church workers. God desires us to be filled with and renewed by His Spirit so that we can support our spouses and families and serve in all the other vocations God has for us. We used the analogy of putting on our own oxygen mask before helping others with theirs. We asked, “How is your spiritual oxygen level right now as a ministry spouse?”
With Labor Day in the rearview mirror and the new beginnings of the fall season upon us, it’s a great time to assess where we are and set some healthy rhythms. As you think about slipping that spiritual oxygen mask on, what would God’s renewed breath of life look like right now for you? What would change?
On the Church Worker Wellness Team, we’ve been talking about the many areas of life we need to manage and balance and how we can help church workers and their families in that challenge. The following list of wellness areas may be helpful as you contemplate your own level of health and wellness and what might need to change.
Spiritual Wellness—a healthy spiritual life and walk with Christ.
Emotional Wellness—the ability to manage stress and anxiety in life.
Physical Wellness—healthy diet, exercise and sleep routines.
Financial Wellness—the ability to take care of oneself and family.
Vocational Wellness—a healthy work/life balance and a satisfying level of engagement and fulfillment.
Intellectual Wellness—sufficient levels of intellectual growth and new learning opportunities, as well as mental agility.
Relational Wellness—healthy close, personal connections with family and friends.
Which of these areas stand out to you now as a needed place of wellness? Do you desire more time in God’s Word and/or in prayer, a better work/life balance, more rest and/or sleep, less responsibilities at church, more family time, a better diet and exercise routine, a more fulfilling job or career, the ability to pay your bills or afford time off for a vacation, genuine, life affirming friendships inside or outside of the church, connection with other ministry spouses?
In my life right now, I am looking for greater vocational fulfillment as I search for a new job. I am asking for God’s help in opening doors for the right opportunity so that I can contribute financially to my family and grow intellectually and relationally. This is my prayer—that God would breathe new life into my work situation so that I can continue to serve Him in all that I do.
Back in 2001, when my family was getting ready to leave seminary for our first call, I attended a farewell luncheon for fourth-year seminary wives. At my place setting was a card with this well-known verse from Jeremiah 29: 11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” To this day, I carry that card in my Bible to remind me how much God loves and cares for me.
God has a great plan for my life and for yours. He has given us His great hope for today and for eternity. And His plan for you and me most certainly includes health and wellness. Here are three questions to consider:
- What is one step forward you could take to feel renewed and refreshed?
- Who could support you and hold you accountable in this step forward?
- In what ways could you be a support to other ministry spouses in their wellness?
No matter where you are on your wellness journey, you are well loved by Your Savior and by your fellow ministry spouses. It is my prayer that we can begin to walk together to build a community to support one another in our wellness. If you are interested in building that ministry spouse community or just need a listening ear, please reach out to me at donnathepastorswife@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.
Your sister in Christ,
Donna Lippitt
Donna has been a pastor’s wife and ministry partner for 23 years in the Southeastern District. She and her husband, George, currently serve at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Midlothian, VA. Donna is a certified coach and lay deacon with the Southeastern District and serves on the Church Worker Wellness Team, specifically providing perspective as a church worker spouse. Donna and George have three grown children, one son-in-law, one daughter-in-law, one granddaughter and another due at the end of September.