Smile Because it Happened!
Dr. Seuss once said “Don’t cry because its over- smile because it happened.” The first time I ever heard this quote was almost 10 years ago when I saw it (through my tears I might add) on a bulletin board at our last meal with the first congregation Brad and I had the privilege of serving.
I have been asked a good many times over the course of our marriage what its like to be a “preacher’s wife”. To be honest, I’ve never really known how to answer that question. Perhaps because when people see me, I want them to just see “Brooke.” I’ve never been ashamed of what my husband does, nothing but proud, but I’ve never wanted to be viewed through a different lens because of what he does.
That being said, I will answer this way…being a “preachers wife” you experience a love like you never have before in your life, but you also experience a hurt like you never have in your life.
Let’s talk about the hurt. Hurt is unfortunately a part of it. There’s the hurt that comes from sin. Sin that affects you and your husband and your children. Whether that be gossip, lies, etc.
Hurt that makes you question everything and makes you want to convince your husband to toss in the towel on this whole preaching gig. I’ve had to remind myself many times that I too have sinned and fallen short. The hurt is going to come, but in time it will go too.
However, most of the time and especially on that day 10 years ago the hurt is a direct result of the unparalleled love you will have felt and received from your church family. The cut to the core hurt that comes from saying goodbye. But the hurt that would not exist if it weren’t for the love like none other. When you are a part of a “preaching family” everyone becomes YOUR family and we all know there’s no hurt like having to leave your family behind.
What makes it so hard to follow the doctors orders (Dr. Seuss’s that is) is the abundant love I have had for the people He has brought into my life. Paul said it best when he said “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you” (Philippians 1:3). As Dr. Seuss said, we truly have so much to smile about.
Brooke McNutt, Moulton, AL