Sunday, February 15, 2009

This is a first!

Last week while my husband was away speaking at a Youth Camp, I received a pleasant surprise. The camp staff sent me these beautiful flowers. They expressed their gratitude to me for “lending” Kempton to them for the weekend. Kempton has been a minister throughout our entire courtship and marriage. The Lord has blessed him with the gift of speaking. So, he often gets asked to speak at various events. In all our almost 10 years of marriage, no one has sent me flowers as the speaker’s wife. That was so sweet and thoughtful of them.

Pastors’ wives often have to selflessly sacrifice for the sake of the kingdom. Our husbands’ jobs technically never end. Many women have asked me if I mind it. When we were first married, I was bothered by it because I didn’t understand my role, gifts, and service to my husband and the church. Praise God I have grown since then. Now if we see an open door for ministry that we sense God wants Kempton to do, I gladly (by God’s grace) support him because I know that when he’s at home he’s ALL here. The kids & I have his undivided time & attention. So, when it’s time for him to serve the body of Christ, our family tank is full. I thank God for that. I pray that we will continue to invest in one another first which allows us to adequately serve others.

There’s a line in the movie, “Fireproof” that says, “You should never leave your partner behind.” Ministry couples really need to be reminded of this. The husband & wife should first “outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10), “look to the interest of one another” (Phil 2:4), “lay down their lives for one another” (1 John 3:16). Each person should strive to give 100%, not 50/50. Then as one has to go and do their individual ministry, they are still on one accord and unified with their spouse. May Christ be your ultimate example as you selflessly and wholeheartedly serve and love your spouse.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just saw Fireproof...wasn't it a great movie??? :)

~Kim S

Caryn said...

It sure was!!! We waited to see it on Valentine's Day so we bought it on DVD. It is a MUST see! It is obvious that God's hand was on that movie.

Kalee said...

I happened to be at the Youth Camp Pastor Kempton preached at. He is truly a blessing. God used him in TREMENDOUS ways at camp, I don't think there was ONE young person in that entire group that didn't go home feeling convicted. And he cares so much about you and your children so much. He didn't want to stop talking about you guys. :) You are blessed to have such an awesome man as a husband, and he is blessed to have such a godly woman as a wife. "Proverbs 31 woman, all the way" were his words. :) You both are examples of what I want in a marriage. God is so good! We were BLESSED that weekend of camp. It was incredible. God really gave him some incredible talent and passion.

Caryn said...

Kalee,
Thank you for your sweet comment. It was so encouraging!

Anonymous said...

Hi Caryn, my name is Mandy Ivy and my husband is the pastor of Cleary Baptist Church in Florence, MS where your hubby spoke last weekend. He told a few of us ladies about your blog so I thought I would let you know how much of a joy he was to our church! The Lord brought a measure of Revival to many of our hearts and we are looking with anticipation to see His Glory unfold in our lives as we seek after Him!! As a mother of 4, ages 6yrs-4wks I completely resonate with your comments about being a pastor's wife! Thank you for the sacrifice you made in sharing your husband with us! Your blog is very encouraging and I know the Lord is using it for His Glory!!

Mandy Ivy