We have just added a new blog category for ministers’ wives! Our guest blogger is Karen Alexander-Doyel
Karen is a writer for the Tennessee Baptist Convention Ministers’ Wives blog .She is a speaker and conference leader, former pastor’s wife, and Lifeway Ministry Multiplier from Lenoir City, TN. Karen was married to Dr. Douglas R. Alexander, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Lenoir City, until his untimely death a few years ago. They served in ministry in Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Ohio and Tennessee. Karen established and led women’s ministries in each church she attended and is a conference leader, writer, and Bible study teacher. She especially has a heart for ministers’ wives and wants to help them love their special calling in ministry. Karen is married to Jim Doyel and is the mother of three grown sons.
Enjoy her words of encouragement…
I am sure as a minister’s wife you know your salvation is a grace gift. You probably have the scripture in Ephesians 2:8 memorized. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”
I wonder if you are aware that God’s grace is also available for your service to Him. In the middle of every challenge and difficult circumstance God gifts us with what we need to be bold, love and have self discipline.
Jesus continually taught the disciples the importance of loving those He came to save. Each person matters to our God and we have the privilege of allowing Him to love them through us. In fact, we fall in love with our God and prove our love to our God as we love those He places in our lives. Not always easy, but always, worth it!
Paul ended many of his letters with “Grace be with you.” Was it just a nice way to end a letter? I don’t think so. I believe Paul knew, from experience, that he and his co-workers would need God’s grace to minister to those around him.
As those difficult people show up in your day, remember they need God’s grace. You are the vessel that can show that grace. Are you thinking, it is too hard? Do you have a person in your life that continues to criticize you or trip you up?
Remember what we are taught in II Corinthians 12:9-10 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in your weakness.”
Look for ways to show God’s grace to those around you today.
Visit our ministers’ wives web page for more resources.