I am Apostolic Pentecostal. Born and raised. I've seen the good, I've seen the not so pretty. When I was 12 I felt called into ministry. What that all entailed I wasn't too sure, but as time went on I knew God had big plans for me. One of which was to preach. As I got older obviously the desire for a relationship became a priority and one I took very seriously might I add. I had my heart set I finding a preacher. Not because I wanted the name or had some wild desire to be a pastors wife, but because long ago I heard preacher, by the name of Tim Gaddy, preach this message on the 2nd Most Important Decision You'll Ever Make. The first most important decision you'll ever make is the decision whether or not to serve God. The second most important decision was whom you would marry. He told story of young girl who fell in love with a boy who was not in church and ultimately it was her demise, but he went on to tell us that you need to marry someone whose ministry matches yours. So I had always assumed I'd marry a preacher.
Now that is my story, but lets be real here. Anyone, who is in Pentecost, especially the men know it to be true that Pentecostal girls have the hots for preachers or inspiring preachers. It's like cops and firefighters, they love the uniform. I think it's more the name that comes along with it, which is sad, and not to mention it's not all about traveling the world and meeting people or heading up a department in the state. Being a pastor's wife is a job and not an easy one at that. Anyhow like a lot of you I was one of those girls, but like previously stated I had good reason.
I ended up getting the privilege to go to Bible College and while there I came to a riveting to discovery…
Boys who feel called to preach don't like me. Yep, true story. I'm too much for them. Too aggressive, too loud, too independent, you name it. They want a sweet spirited, quiet, proverbs 31 woman. And although I have a great personality and do hold some Proverbs 31 traits, I am far from quiet. I'm ok with that, but these boys were not and they didn't mind letting me know. I came to the realization that my calling interfered with theirs or at least they felt it would. They felt that I wouldn't be submissive or wouldn't be a helpmate, which isn't factual, but that's what they assumed thus relationships never did get very far. Not to mention if wasn't that it was me. I was far too picky!
I figured I'd be like Sis. Kim the missionary to South Korea who never married or woman version of Bro. Lee Stoneking also never married. I had come to terms with it. That was until I met Spencer. I was on a home missions trip to Jonesboro, AR with Urshan. We were in their fellowship hall working on our cardboard testimonies and in walks this 6'2", fit and very attractive young man. My first thought was "Man, Arkansas has some good looking men." And much to my surprise this young man came and sat right next to me. Come to find out we had a lot of mutual friends. Then that Sunday I sang and he was hooked. I soon came to know him very well. He loved God, been in church is whole life, Holy Ghost filled, baptized in Jesus name, never done a thing wrong, which was more then I could say for myself.
He also did not feel called to ministry.
I slammed the brakes. I figured this was deal breaker and I was about to end it. And let me tell you something I really didn't want to. He was awesome and such a good guy and I was attracted to him, which is a big plus, but I was scared. I didn't want to ruin what God had in store for me because I chose the wrong man. Plus I had various people tell me they were worried about it for whatever reason. So like all good children I went and talked to my pastor, which was the smartest thing I ever did. He asked me some questions. He asked, "Is he filled with the Holy Ghost?" I replied, "yes". "Have you talked to him about your calling?" he asked. "Of course" I said. Then he asked, "Well what did he say?" I replied, "He said he'll go wherever God leads me!" W hat my pastor said next has stayed in my heart. He told me I had a keeper and that God knew exactly what he was doing when He brought Spencer into my life. See for the past couple of years I've been chasing after men who wanted someone to back their ministry, but I needed a man who would be willing to back mine and be ok with sitting on a pew cheering and praying me on. Spencer was willing to be that man.
Since that moment and since we got married God has molded and shaped Spencer and I into a godly couple. Spencer may not feel "called to ministry", but he does ministry better then anyone I know. (He also is starting to feel that tug from the Almighty)
He has a heart of Gold, he is a servant of God willing to do whatever is asked of him, and truly cares for the souls of men and women. He loves God and loves people and people love him. He is the perfect helpmate. And I am his perfect helpmate and for all you wondering nosey individuals I am submissive to him and he is the head of our house hold.
I say all this to say just because a man is not a preacher or a woman doesn't play the piano doesn't mean that they are not ministers. The church is the body of Christ. Not everyone can be pastors and music leaders some of us need to be door greeters and bus drivers and we are all an important part in the kingdom. So don't ever turn someone down because they don't fit this cookie cutter version of a man/woman you see yourself with.
I would have never thought I would have married an Arkansan, but here I am rocking it.
