I am learning that I would rather be at peace with what God has for me, my kids and our family. I am grateful that my husband feels the same way. Sometimes he gets a little flack for rocking the boat and doing what he feels God wants him to do, but our family is strong.

An equal danger is going too far the other direction and thumbing your nose at the expectations of others. Sometimes we have to check our pride and make sure that our motivation is to please the Lord and not just have our own way.

@Peaches…I agree just keep smiling and tell them that it will happen in the Lord’s timing. I used to get a similar thing when I was single. All of the unhappy, miserable married women in the church used to always ask me why I wasn’t married and when I was going to get married. Why would I want to rush into marriage when you all are so miserable?! I learned that the best response was to smile and remind them that the Lord is in control. They don’t realize what they are saying and don’t really understand the impact that it is having on you. I hope that helps some

I can only laugh. Because otherwise I would cry. Try being married 8 years. The questions people ask! My favorite is when they ask us if we don’t like kids…or if there is something wrong with my husband. Seriously. People have even expressed concern if we are out and about and someone nearby is smoking. They express concern to me and my “baby”. I don’t look pregnant…but to them, they feel it is their business. What amazes me is that they complain about having kids and then almost in the same breath ask me why we don’t have children. It’s hard for me because one of the reasons we don’t have kids is because the church pays my husband the least of any church we’ve been at. I just have to bite my tongue and pray that I don’t get sick. If I do get sick, the questions about being pregnant start back up. Are you kidding me?

We are debating on telling people that we keep kissing and nothing happens. Just kidding. Yes, ministry seems to bring out the sarcastic side of me.

Ultimately, it’s a compliment. That are just excited for you to have kids. That is what I have to keep reminding myself.:-) Hang in there and just smile.

I sometimes feel badly because I don’t have my kids enrolled in this or that or because I am not homeschooling them or because fill in the blank. I feel badly because I have made decisions that are different from someone else. It can be so easy to compare myself to those around me. I have to constantly remind myself that God has given each of us unique gifts and abilities, unique families, and unique circumstances. For me, it is constantly about seeking God’s best for my family and not becoming distracted by what is going on around me.

I do realize that some people may actually have unrealistic expectations for us. At a business meeting where there was a proposal to hire a woman to work in the youth department with the other 2 male youth pastors, an older woman came to the microphone and commented that growing up the youth pastor’s wife always took the roll of counseling and supporting the girls. I took my turn at the microphone (heart racing) to express how God had gifted me and how the needs of the girls far exceeded my time restraints and abilities. We can feel guilty by the expectations placed upon us or we can be confident in the choices we are making knowing that God is at the center of each decision.

In those circumstances when we are doing those mandatory expected life duties (like poopy diapers!) I have to remember Col 3:17 and do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God.

Sorry so long winded, the hubs is gone with students for the weekend so this is my adult conversation fix Have a great weekend!