I wanted to know how you dealt with your hubby going to seminary and working at church? What kind of adjustments did you have to make (i.e. budget, time spent together, etc.)? I'm pretty sure you addressed something along these lines in the past but I wanted to hear more about how you felt. What helped you get through this time? What verses did you cling to? Thanks in advance!
We moved to Charlotte in September 2005 to plant Elevation Church. We did not take a salary from the church at the time and my husband was supporting our family through itinerant speaking. In addition to pastoring our church, he was attending seminary.
His schedule was crazy. He was attending seminary at an extension location 2 hours away all day, every Monday. On Tuesday-Thursday he would work on messages, lead our staff (volunteers as well), and do seminary work. On Friday and Saturday he would usually be off preaching at some event. Sundays we would have church.
At the time Elijah was just a few months old and a very fussy baby. Needless to say our life was hectic and unsure. We didn't even know if what we were doing was working. It was a time in our life that God was building our faith.
But here is what I want to say. Sometimes I think God builds your faith because what he has for you down the road is even more difficult. Kinda like you can't learn to multiply until you first learn to add. How did we get through such a difficult time? We took one day at a time. God was building in us the faith and the stamina that we would need for the days ahead.
Our lives are hectic now too. My husband still travels, he has graduated seminary but is now working on writing his 2nd book, he still has a message to prepare each week and a full staff to lead. Instead of one child, we now have three. And we still have days where we are not sure if what we are doing is working. And we take one day at a time.
Matthew 6:31-34 says this
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
To live in the dream of "one day when..." is a deadly trap. Do what God has called you to do today. Tomorrow will not necessarily be easier, just different.
Brilliant thoughts - I really appreciate you sharing this. We're currently in a ministry season where I feel God stretching us to expand our capacity - to love, to give our time, etc. So this is really applicable! Being a ministry family is such a gift, and I am thankful for women like you, Holly, who are leading all of us to embrace that.
Posted by: amy | May 21, 2011 at 10:15 PM
I just started reading your blog. My husband LOVES your husband and I find myself listening to elevation podcasts on road trips more and more....
I wanted to just say thank you for this post, I needed to hear it! We are getting ready to have our 2nd child, irish twins to be honest. I'm terrified of the details, but I know that the Lord does work through us and boy does he have a sends of humor, amen? AMEN! So thank you!
Posted by: Abbey | May 18, 2011 at 04:44 PM
Thank you for this. It seems we get through one tough season, and just when we think things are 'all better' the next one hits.
Most encouraging sentences, ever - "To live in the dream of "one day when..." is a deadly trap. Do what God has called you to do today. Tomorrow will not necessarily be easier, just different."
Today was my first time reading your blog. Thank you for the encouragement. His timing is perfect!
Posted by: Michelle Bolanger | May 18, 2011 at 02:49 PM
Awesome post today! This was exactly what I needed to hear. It can be so easy to get stuck in the what if/why syndrome. It is nIce to have a reminder from someone who has been there. I guess that is another great thing about our trials, if we let him, God will not only build us up to be the best that he has called us to be, but he will build up others as well. Thank you for investing in the lives of so many with your posts! YOU ROCK! :-)
Posted by: Angelina | May 18, 2011 at 02:13 PM
I love that God uses both you and your husband to speak directly to the hearts of those who need to hear His promises. My husband and I have been struggling with infertility and just recently found out that I will need both surgery and IVF to conceive. Just last weekend, I described myself as being caught up in a tornado of what-ifs...that is what this process feels like. Overwhelming what-ifs. My prayer for myself this week has been to let go of all that...to trust God for my future so I can be present and thankful in the blessing that is today. Thank you for this wonderful post! For me, it was yet another little reminder that God is taking care of all that lies ahead.
Posted by: Nicole | May 18, 2011 at 01:44 PM
I really loved your post today! You are so right that God is so faithful and prepares us for the future he has for us. Of course sometimes it is easier realizing this from after time has passed. I think that is why it is so important to have woman in our lives who are different ages! I know we often get in a little bubble of being around woman who are in the same life stage as ours. However I am always so richly blessed by woman who have already walked down the same road that I am currently walking. I also fill like I can bless ladies who are just now starting out as new moms trying to figure out how to load a diaper bag for the first time! Thanks for your great post. By the way I just listened to your sermon from a few weeks ago at the gym on friday. Great job!! I loved what you had to say but I also thought you did a wonderful job of presenting the information that God wanted you to share!
Posted by: amy | May 18, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Amen!!!! God has given you lots of wisdom! May the Lord continue to use you to touch the lives of many women!
Posted by: Sandra | May 17, 2011 at 07:38 PM
Thank you so much for answering my question. =) It does sound like a pretty hectic time. I think what I needed to hear most was not to get into the "One day when...." trap. I believe that God has called us to something greater and with the great responsibility comes great sacrifice. I think I heard that somewhere. Lion King? ;)
Posted by: Indy | May 17, 2011 at 05:29 PM
Really really good advice!!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: kelly webb | May 17, 2011 at 03:05 PM
Thanks so much for sharing this. I'm getting married in ab 3 weeks and my fiancé is called into the ministry. He is interning at a church currently but that will be over in August so I often find myself struggling to remember Matthew 6 when I'm worried about where God will take us next and how He will provide. This was a HUGE encouragement and a great reminder that I don't have to worry because He will always provide when we follow where He is leading.
Posted by: Amber Beam | May 17, 2011 at 11:51 AM
Thank you so much...such an encouragement to me right now. We launched a church Easter weekend...have 2 kids and adopting another from Ch*na and hubby has no income from the church right now. I can totally relate...except I'm the one with the job paying the bills, but he's hopefully about to land at least a part time job. We take one day at a time as well...sometimes that is hard as a control freak! LOL This was a great word for us today though...thank you!
Posted by: Southern Cheesehead | May 17, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Thanks for this post. As a new church planter (we have now had 7 Sundays), I love the line "Tomorrow will not necessarily be easier, just different."
We are staying in His will and pressing forward!
Melissa
Twitter: TubsWife
Posted by: Melissa Rorabaugh | May 17, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Thank you so much for this post! I am taking a huge step of faith in my life, stepping away from my job to pursue ministry and seminary. I have been feeling exactly as you say here, unsure and stretched. It is so good to be reminded that we must take a step each day, and focus on one day at a time. We don't have to know what will happen 1 years from now, or even 10 days from now, we are simply called to have faith, and take one step at a time with our eyes on Him. Thank you so much for this encouragement today!
Posted by: Laura Wachowiak | May 17, 2011 at 09:54 AM
This post has struck me in my heartstrings. That passage from Matthew has always been a favorite of mine and rings true. I am going through a time of personal turmoil and have recently been struggling with several potential changes and "what-ifs". Thank you, Holly. Your words have definitely spoken to me today! You are right - tomorrow will not necessarily be easier, just different. One day at a time. God is leading me down the right path and I need to follow, not doubt.
Posted by: Pamela D. | May 17, 2011 at 08:42 AM