This Is The Life of A Pastor’s Wife

 This Is The Life of A Pastor’s Wife
 

I started writing this blog at the end of third month of 2019. Many things have transpired since that time. I can come up with a great deal of excuses and justifications for why I haven’t written, but that’s all they are…………excuses. Believe it or not, I am working on removing the word “procrastination” from my vocabulary and from my life.

Yes, like many of you, I have a full plate with work, family and church responsibilities and life in general; however, I am also trying to make sure that I take time to relax and rejuvenate. Over the past few weeks, I found myself feeling more and more anxious, overwhelmed, frustrated, extremely tired and sometimes right down irritable. I started trying to stop anything I was working on by 9:00 p.m., but it still ended up being very close to 11:00 and sometimes later. So, once I finally settled down, I was so tired that I did not rest well. In addition to not resting well, I would get up still tired. Round and round, Huh?

I am learning that getting older has it’s set of extra challenges and trying to make the best of the challenges requires great effort. So, here’s where I am:

I have been trying to exercise regularly. You know, it really does help. Also, I’ve got to get my numbers (weight, cholesterol, etc.) under control because I want to be around for a long time. I also have to get my stress level under control.

And speaking of stress…….

Recently, I went to get my driver’s license renewed. It was such a frustrating experience. I made three trips to the Department of Motor Vehicles—after work. I repeat, AFTER WORK!

Day 1: I put my driver’s license on the counter and the young lady tells me that I can renew my license, but the rules changes in 2020 and I would have to pay an additional fee. What? She gave me a pamphlet with the list of documents I would need to bring in. I left, ticked! After sitting in front of my house for 30 minutes, I looked over the pamphlet to review what I needed. O.K. I have these documents. I collected them and decided I would go the next day.

Day 2: I went to DMV, excited that I had the paperwork. So, I placed my birth certificate and my marriage license on the counter. The young lady tells me I need two documents with my address along with the other forms of identification. WHAT???? I thought! I thought! O.K. So I left the building. This time I sat in my car for 30 minutes before I could even drive. I did not realize that I needed ALL of these things. Well, my husband and I discussed this. His theory is that they told me what I needed, and I had the pamphlet. I thought I just needed to choose something from A category. So, that night, I collected the additional forms I needed. I put them in a nice envelope just to keep them together because these are all very important forms of identification.

Day 3: So, I had EVERYTHING—except sometime between Day 2 and Day 3, I had dropped my driver’s license. So, as I handed the very patient young lady the envelope, I have to tell her that now I do not have my original driver’s license. When I think about the process of getting my driver’s license renewed, I get so irritated. Over the course of those three days, I keep asking myself, “Why does anyone need to have all of this documentation to get a driver’s license, especially since I have been driving for DECADES!” (My temperature is rising!) Oh! The license that I dropped were under the seat in my car. EEK!!

There is another thing I’ll share about that day. As I was walking in the DMV, I saw a relative of one of my church member friends. I immediately decided that I had to settle myself down because I could not cause a scene about getting my driver’s license, especially since I was aware of what I needed.

Why is that important? We don’t ever know who is watching us. We must be aware that our negative attitudes can cause others to look at us differently. Yes, we are all human, but we all have a responsibility to behave in a manner that is pleasing to God!

I also learned that I had (and have) some issues inside of me that needed to be addressed. I thought I had put away anger, frustration, negativity, pride, and the list goes on and on. Shortly after trying to get my driver’s license, I set up an appointment with a mental health therapist. That did it!

Why am I sharing this? I am sharing this because I see so many people dealing with issues that need attention. I understand that people worry about telling others what is going on in their lives, but I also understand that we must release our thoughts and burdens.

Shortly after that ordeal, I was also overwhelmed, frustrated and tired because I had not taken any time to rest. My husband and I decided it was time to get away for a few days. We travelled to Charleston, S.C., to do some sightseeing and relaxing. We are still learning that sometimes it’s imperative to get away. We allowed our schedules to become so full that we did not allow ourselves time off.

If you are in the position of working all the time, please STOP and REST! It’s so important for you and the other people in your world. They are affected when you are tired, overwhelmed, burdened, overworked. I hope this helps someone!

PART II

So here we are a few days into the month of May! Yes, it’s May (2019). I shared a few paragraphs earlier that I have been working on eliminating the word “procrastination” from my vocabulary.

I can tell you that I have made some steps forward in some areas and some steps back in other areas.

With my fitness goals, I have been going to gym BEFORE work instead of after work. This has made a difference for me. Yes, some days it is difficult to get up, but it IS worth it. This came about because my daughter challenged me to change when I was going. She suggested that I get up early and go before work. My reply: “I can’t get up before work. Do you know what time I would have to get up?” After some more talking and a reality check, I decided I would accept her challenge. I’ve been going for five weeks now—Monday through Friday, except I missed two days for circumstances beyond my control. Yes, I could have gone AFTER work, but I didn’t. I could tell a difference from the first day I began—like really. I was not so tired throughout the day. Now there are days when my body says, “You’re sleepy.” I push through! Zzzzz 😊 I have not found time to take a nap in the day and I am still struggling to get to bed earlier.

I must say that since I have been exercising on a regular basis, it is changing some of my negative thoughts. As I was walking on the treadmill this morning, I was listening to some uplifting music, I could not even begin to think about what was going on outside. Talk about not feeling frustrated or overwhelmed!

 

Part III

I am writing this in June 2020! It has been more than a few days LOL since I have written. To say many things have changed is an UNDERSTATEMENT!!!! Well….the world is in a pandemic! I am speechless. No, not really! 😊

As far as a resolution to some of my issues presented above, I have been meeting with a therapist recently and the time in therapy is AMAZZZINNGG!! EXXXercisee???? We’ll talk later.

My driver’s license experience….As I reflect on my attitude and actions, I, I repeat, I needed to settle down. I needed to make some adjustment to my attitude. I have had time to reflect on my actions and


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