Father, Are You There? Do You See Me?

Over that past two years, I have found myself asking God, "Are you there? Do you see me? Can you hear me?". Even as a preacher's wife, I have faced the deep valley of anxiety and panic disorder and the strong hold of fear and doubt and insecurity. In these struggles there are some things I am learning.

The first is that the mind is definitely your battle field. The battle usually starts when the demands of life and ministry pull you away from sleep, proper nutrition, and time alone with God and His Word, as well as time for extended prayer. You can so easily fall into the trap of the busyness and business of ministry that you can become mentally exhausted and spiritually empty.

However, in your exhaustion, though you may not feel like it, you can rest assured that your heavenly Father is watching and sees you. He sees all of your struggles and He cares. I know as a preacher's wife, often times you not only face the demands of ministry but the needs of children, grandchildren, parents and our homes. We also face the unexpressed and often unmet expectations of our family and congregation.

Preacher's wives may also experience feeling invisible. They can feel lost in the shadow of their husband's ministry, as they try to find their own place in it. They wonder if anyone really sees them or if they really belong. The great news is, someone does see you. He knows your gifts and He will not leave you incomplete. He understands all that you need and feel.

Spending more time with your heavenly father, asking Him to lavish His love on you, will help you to have more love to lavish on your husbands, children, grandchildren, parents, congregation and friends. You must be filled up, in order to pour out.

What a great call and privilege you have been given. Not only are you a daughter of the King but the wife of a preacher.  What a great opportunity God has given you to share the gospel alongside your partner and friend and minister to the needs of others!

Spend some time today with your heavenly Father being lavished with His love. He sees you, He hears you and He loves you incomprehensibly.

"From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth-He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do."- 

Psalm 33:13-15

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." 

Gen. 28:15 NIV

"I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." - 2 Corinthians 6:18 & 2 Samuel 7:14

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God!" - 1 John 3:1