Article

Soul+Mates November 2013 Article: Love the People

Love the People

by Cathy Wilson

Back in college, I was given an article to read by an elderly friend of mine. She patted my hand and whispered in my ear, “This is the best advice I’ve seen on being a good pastor’s wife.” I braced myself. What would I have to do? Lead Bible studies? Play the organ? Cut wedding cakes? Simply put, it said, “Love the people!”

Surely, there was more to it than that. I tried to be the perfect youth pastor’s wife, playing crazy games, staying up all night, dishing out spiritual advice. It was not my natural lifestyle at all…I like to go to bed early. I like quiet. I don’t have the best advice to give. But I could relax and be myself when I remembered, “Love the people!”

Being the “new pastor’s wife” in a small town and feeling like I was “on display” made me nervous. I wasn’t sure how everyone already knew so much about me. I wasn’t sure I would measure up. I still couldn’t play the organ or cut wedding cakes. But I could breathe again when I remembered, “Love the people!”

After becoming the mother of five, I knew I couldn’t do it all. I couldn’t make it to every function or serve in high level district positions. What would people think? On the brink of panic, I would remember, “Love the people.”

Being perfect is not what God demands. He wants our hearts. He wants our love. When He has that, we will be fully equipped to “Love the people!” I agree with my friend. The best pastor’s wife advice-“Love the people!”