As the new year begins, I find myself singing, “Take me higher, dear Lord. Take me higher in You…” Last year’s highlights notwithstanding, I long for higher ground.

In the late 1800’s, Johnson Oatman Jr. wrote the classic hymn, Higher Ground. Let’s take a moment and reflect upon the lyrics:

 I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Serving God as a pastor’s wife is a high call and a high privilege. It’s a high calling conceived by God. “And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” (Gen. 2:18)

It’s a high calling worthy of God.  “For to me, to live is Christ…” (Phl. 1:21a)

It’s a high calling far surpassing the ideals of man. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa. 55:8-9)

It’s a high calling that compels us to Christ and Christlikeness. “Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (Eph. 5:1-2)

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Tho’ some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim is higher ground.

In Luke chapter 1, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary and says, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (verse 28)

At first, Mary is confused and troubled by the angel’s greeting. He then goes on to tell her that she would give birth to the Son of God (verses 29-33).

Being a virgin, understandably, Mary wants to know how this will happen, not if this will happen. The angel explains and Mary gives her consent saying, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (verses 34-38).

Beloved, there is so much to glean from this story. As pastors’ wives, we can rejoice because we’re blessed, highly favored, and the Lord is with us. We may not always understand the calling upon our lives. Nevertheless, we have the same assurance given to Mary by the angel. Whatever God wants to birth through your life can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit and with your consent. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” (verse 37)

You know the story. The angel departs and Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is also pregnant. Luke 1:39 says, “Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah.” The lesson here is this, don’t dilly-dally in the valley where doubts arise and fears dismay. Head for higher ground and get with someone who’s more pregnant than you, someone who can fuel your faith and affirm God’s promises. “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (verse 45)

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

Higher heights can be attained, but not without its challenges. As my father-in-love used to say, “New levels, new devils.”

… But still I’ll pray till Heaven I’ve found,
Lord, lead me on to higher ground.

We’re familiar with the story of Nehemiah and how he spearheaded the task of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. While the task was great, fraught with peril, often opposed, and requiring many hands—a few of those hands belonged to women, the daughters of Shallum.

Little is known of these industrious women. Their names are never mentioned. Nevertheless, the service rendered by these remarkable women remains immortalized in Scripture,

“… [Shallum] and his daughters made repairs.”

As I read the book of Nehemiah, it’s easy for me to imagine the work of these women. Growing up in a family of all girls, my sisters and I often worked alongside our father. We were known in the neighborhood as the Richardson girls. My two elder sisters were often referred to as merely the twins.

This is the proverbial plight of the pastor’s wife, that nameless woman who serves alongside her husband. However, like the daughters of Shallum, pastors’ wives are remarkable women. Not only do we serve alongside our husbands, we serve alongside our heavenly Father in the business of rebuilding. We are women called by God to bless, build up, edify, encourage, fortify, and strengthen the body of Christ.

We live in a broken world. Broken hearts and broken homes litter the landscape with the rubble of countless ragged relationships. That which was once held sacred has become a barren wasteland, much like the Jerusalem of Nehemiah’s day.

Here’s another Scripture to consider, “Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell In” (Isa. 58:12).

The daughters of Shallum left a powerful precedent for pastors’ wives. Like never before, we must commit to being women of the Word—dutiful daughters who work alongside our heavenly Father, who aren’t afraid to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty as we help to rebuild, raise up, repair, and restore.

While many turn their attention to the Passion story once a year, for the believer it’s the basis of our faith. The Passion story refers to the sufferings our Lord endured in the Garden of Gethsemane until His agonizing death on the cross. 

Mary Magdalene was one of a few women who purchased and prepared spices to anoint the Lord’s body. Three times, in this John passage (verses 11, 13, and 15), we see Mary crying. Despite her grief, we also see Mary’s duty and devotion. However, we also see her despair when Mary, momentarily, loses sight of her Savior (verses 13-14). It’s not until the Lord calls her by name that Mary realizes the risen Savior. Mary’s eyes may have failed her, but her ears could not mistake that voice saying her name. Jesus can preach a perfect sermon in one word.

Beloved, like the song says, “He know my name. He knows my every thought. He sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call…”

Mary’s eyes may have failed her, but her ears could not mistake that voice saying her name. Jesus can preach a perfect sermon in one word.

Women cry for many reasons. God made us with a sensitive nature capable of great depths of feeling. When cultivated, we’ve been wired with the ability to care for, understand, and alleviate the pains of others. Sometimes, many times, pastors’ wives cry because we feel we’re without those who can be trusted with the things we suffer. At these times, we must trust God and unburden our hearts to Him.

Here are some questions for you to prayerfully ponder: What makes you cry? What are you grieving? In your service unto the Lord, have your duty and devotion turned to despair?

Throughout the pages of Scripture, we see weeping women—wives, widows, mothers, the sick, single, and the sinful. Thankfully, the Lord cares for weeping women. He is intimately aware of what we experience and has the capacity to sympathize with our weaknesses (Heb. 4:15). He, too, is a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isa. 53:3). Jesus, Himself, wept (John 11:35).

Beloved, may the following Scriptures bring you closer to the One who understands your sorrow and suffering.

Our tears are precious to God. “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Ps. 56:8NLT)

However, we do not grieve as those who have no hope! Our hope is in Jesus Christ, the living Word. “Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” (Heb. 10:35 NKJV)

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go our weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” (Ps. 126:6 NIV)

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Ps. 30:5b NIV)

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.” (Isa. 61:3 NLT)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
(2 Cor. 1:3-4 NKJV)

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4 NKJV)

May the Comforter be especially close and may you hear Him call your name.

In the movie version of Sense and Sensibility, Lucy Steele is burdened by her secret engagement and desires to confide in someone. Fanny Dashwood coaxes Lucy to tell her, assuring Lucy with these words, “I am the soul of discretion. I can assure you I am as silent as the grave.” Now the viewing audience, aware that Mrs. Dashwood is a snob with a holier-than-thou attitude, all but screams, “Lucy, don’t do it!” The ensuing commotion is one of the highlights of the film. But how often have we confided in the wrong person because we thought they were “safe?”

In the book, Safe People: How To Find Relationships That Are Good For You And Avoid Those That Aren’t, authors Cloud and Townsend define what makes a person safe.

“Safe people are individuals who draw us closer to being the people God intended us to be. Though not perfect, they are “good enough” in their own character that the net effect of their presence in our lives is positive. They are accepting, honest, and present, and they help us bear good fruit in our lives.”

I thought of these examples while reading over an old letter from my friend and fellow pastor’s wife, the late Dr. Lois Evans. After having shared with her in a face-to-face conversation, we revisited the matter via email. Lois wrote, “… Meredith what I felt and was thinking at that time was I am so glad Meredith feels free to share exactly what you said, without mincing words.  It confirmed our deep sister friendship, and that you felt comfortable and SAFE as we were talking, so no apology needed. I am glad you got it off your chest. Where do PW’S go to talk and to be real? I am so glad we have each other, and we were able to talk then and now…”

Regarding our need for friendship, pastor’s wife and author Christine Hoover says, 
“Pastor’s wife, friendship is possible. And not only is it possible, but it’s necessary. You may navigate social situations that others don’t, but in every believer’s need for life-giving friendships, you are no exception.”

In Scripture, the first time the Lord says something is not good is regarding relationships, “It is not good for the man to be alone… (Gen. 2:18)”

We are created for connection (see Eccl. 4:9-12). Therefore, we must guard against disunity and severing ties with others, especially if we’ve been wounded.

Without a doubt, we’ve experienced disappointment, misunderstanding, hurt, and even betrayal in a relationship. However, those are not reasons to forego friendship. We must be wise, mature, and open as we seek the same in others. Ultimately, let’s look to the Lord who promised to supply our every need, and purposefully pursue partnerships for our good and His glory.

When my mother was a young woman, she aspired to be a missionary (pictured above). Being highly gifted, her love for the Lord and desire to teach and help others led her into the nursing and then education fields. Nevertheless, we had countless conversations about her daughter the pastor’s wife whose marriage and ministry has allowed me to travel all over the world.

Through the years, during these times of sharing, my mother would often ask, “Do you think I’d have made a good pastor’s wife?” My answer was always the same, “Mommy, God empowers you for what He calls you to do.” She’d usually ask me this after I shared something she found too far outside of her comfort zone, challenging, or downright unpleasant. Sometimes I’d chuckle and say, “It’s part of the package, Mom. It comes with the territory. God gives you grace for what you have to face.”

My mother was incredibly proud of me. She stayed in a state of perpetual awe and amazement because I was her quiet, shy, introverted, middle child. Seeing how the Lord transformed my life has been nothing short of miraculous.

Whether loud and rowdy or quiet and reserved, God’s work of transformation is always miraculous. “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” 1 Cor. 1:26-29 NLT

While I’m certainly not as shy as I used to be, I’m still quiet, introverted, and the middle child. You see, God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. God doesn’t choose us based on our ability, but our availability.

Not all of us married men already in ministry. Therefore, being a pastor’s wife wasn’t part of your plan. Some of us can readily rattle off reasons why we didn’t want to be a pastor’s wife. We all bring our temperament, strengths, and weaknesses to the proverbial table. You may not feel as qualified as the former first lady or others that you know.

Leah was thought to be unattractive. Rahab was a prostitute. Naomi was a widow. Martha worried about everything. Mary Magdalene was demon possessed. The Samaritan woman was divorced… more than once… God used every one of these women, and He uses you.

We may be able to list our limitations, but we serve a great big God who delights to display His power and glory through our lives. As a matter of fact, His power works best in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).

Beloved, as we embark upon a new year, let’s avail ourselves to be used by God like never before; ordinary women serving an extraordinary God!

Mother Cornelius Taylor is unforgettable. She was a classic “church mother.” An older woman who wore dresses well below her knees, feet shod with block heeled, tie-up, black granny shoes, and never without a hat. Mother Taylor was a sweet old lady and a prayer warrior. But that’s not why she’s memorable. Her famous taglines were, “I’ve got love onboard for everybody” and “I have one face under one hat.”

Mother Taylor loved the Lord. She loved people. She wasn’t two-faced. Like Jesus, Mother Taylor was always the same, consistent, one face under one hat. That kind of consistency can only be found in knowing who you are and Whose you are.

To be truly successful in life and ministry it is imperative that we know our identity in Christ.  Otherwise, we will take our cues from the world and our feelings and live lives of mistaken identity.

Pastors’ wives can feel pressured to be who people think we should be. That’s why it’s important, imperative even, to live up to who Christ says we are. Only in Him do we find the ability that gives us the stability to be consistently authentic, original, our truest self. 

In Him you are:

A          accepted in the Beloved and the apple of God’s eye. Eph. 1:6, Ps. 17:8

B          born again and beautiful.  Ps. 149:4

C          chosen by God and more than a conqueror.  Eph. 1:4-5, Rom. 8:37

D          delivered from the power of darkness.  Col. 1:13

E          equipped to do all things thru Christ who gives me strength.  Phil. 4:13

F          fearfully and wonderfully made.  Ps. 139:14

G         growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. 3:18

H         the habitation of the Holy Spirit, an heir of God.  Eph. 2:22, Rom. 8:16-17

I           increasing in the knowledge of God.  Col. 1:10

J           God’s jewel; worth far more than rubies.  Prov. 31:10

K          known by God.  1Cor. 8:3

L          loved unconditionally.  Rom. 8:38-39

M         made in God’s image and likeness.  Gen. 1:27

N         a new creation.  2 Cor. 5:17

O         an overcomer.  1 John 2:13

P          pleasing in God’s sight.  John 8:29

Q         qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints.  Col. 1:12

R          reconciled to God thru Christ, redeemed by His blood, reigning with Jesus, royal, rejoicing in hope, resting on God’s promises.

            2 Cor. 5:18, Rev. 5:9, 2 Tim. 2:12, 1Pet. 2:9, Rom. 12:12, Heb. 6:12

S          strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Eph. 6:10

T          transformed by the renewing of my mind.  Rom. 12:2

U         undefiled in the way and walking in the law of the Lord Ps. 119:1

V          a victorious, virtuous woman.  1 Cor. 15:57, Prov. 31:10-31

W        God’s workmanship, created to do good works.  Eph. 2:10

X          expecting to experience exceeding great and precious promises. 2 Pet. 1:4

Y          yielded to God.  Rom. 6:13Z          

Z          zealous for the things of the Lord.  Tit. 2:14

Beloved, if you adhere to who Christ says you are you will always be like Mother Taylor, who was so Christ-like, one face under one hat.

For weeks and weeks my cellphone was behaving badly. Glitchy. Freezing. Not getting all text messages. Text messages not sending. Notifications stopped making sounds. Phone stopped ringing. If I wasn’t holding my phone and feeling or hearing the vibration, calls went unanswered.

I Googled my phone’s many symptoms in an attempt to regain sound. Nothing worked. I reached my limit and marched into a T-Mobile store. It actually made me feel better when the cell phone professional tinkered with my phone for quite a while before saying, “This is weird.” I was then advised to take my phone to another location for a computerized diagnostic assessment. Whew!

Finally, I ended up at a different store where I selected a brand-new phone. The technician was both pleasant and patient as she explained the features and prepared to download the memory from my old phone onto the new one. At one point I was asked if I wanted all of my old text messages. I decided to keep only the past six months; that way I could go through them and easily delete what I no longer wanted or needed. With the push of a button and in the merest of moments, years of messages vanished. That’s when I remembered all the text and voicemail messages from Dr. Lois Evans that I’d saved, intentionally. Gone! Grief, all over again. I miss my friend. 

Immediately, I was reminded of Dorcas (Acts 9) and how when she died the women who knew and loved her wept and showed Peter the garments Dorcas had made for them. When we lose loved ones, somehow things they’ve given to us become more precious. That’s why I almost had a meltdown right in the T-Mobile store.

Thankfully, Dr. Lois Evans’ legacy lives on. She’s touched countless lives in countless ways and left an indelible imprint upon us. I give God thanks and praise for the life of my friend and the 20 years of friendship and shared ministry. “[We] show that [we] are a letter from Christ, the result of [her] ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” (2 Cor. 3:3)

The messages from Lois, not just those texted or left as a voicemail, but those written upon my heart and life, cannot be erased, and for that I am forever thankful.

Summertime in the United States is when we typically enjoy warmer weather, more hours of daylight, outdoor activities, and nature’s bounty of fresh fruit. Berries, cherries, melons, nectarines, and plums abound, but my summertime favorite are peaches. A fresh, juicy peach on a hot summer day is delicious and nutritious.

I am proud to proclaim that here in California more peaches are grown than the other 32 peach-growing states combined (USDA Report). California clingstone peaches are harvested from mid-July to mid-September, while the California freestone varieties are harvested from April through October. That’s why August is national Peach Month – it’s the heart of peach harvest!

Recently while out shopping, I took my time selecting several of these downy, dark yellow fruits highlighted with a red, sun-kissed blush. They were firm with just a hint of give and would ripen to perfection after a day or two in a brown paper bag. I smelled their scent before opening the bag. Biting into the juicy, fragrant flesh I was disappointed to discover that one of my perfect looking peaches was not so sweet. There was a bitterness to every bite.

What I learned is that when the plant becomes overly stressed, it increases the production of cucurbitacin. Normally, cucurbitacin stays concentrated in the branches and leaves, acting as a deterrent to creatures, that might eat them. However when the plant has become subject to stress—lack of sun, or cooler than normal temperatures, lack of water, or poor soil that doesn’t have enough nutrients—the fruit can become bitter.

Pastors’ wives, like peaches, can also become bitter when overly stressed.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 (and its variants) has added immeasurable stress to all of our lives—illness, deaths, quarantine, church closures, viral services, church re-openings, members gone MIA—the list goes on and on. The past few years have taken their toll on us in countless ways. And yet, we have been blessed with countless opportunities to learn to manage stress and become stronger and sweeter.

Get plenty of “Sonshine” by spending time in God’s presence (quarantine with Him on a daily basis).

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Ps. 84:11

Stay warm by staying connected. Don’t withdraw from others.
“Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?”  Eccl. 4:11

Stay hydrated with Living Water.

“Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14

Tend to the soil of your heart.

“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” Hos. 10:12

Beloved, until we go Home to be with the Lord, difficult days and stressful seasons will be an ongoing part of life. However, as we commit to cultivating our faith we will become fruitful and not bitter. 

“But we know all things works together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Rom. 8:28

What a peach of a promise! 

“Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen” (Mark 16:1-2).

During the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, we often see Him in the company of women. Jesus ministered to women, with women, and allowed women to minister to Him. Women were welcome and wanted because the Lord knew and knows our worth and value.

He did not need or desire women as groupies, but faithful followers, devoted disciples who advanced His Kingdom on earth. One of my favorite Bible passages can be found in Luke 8:1-3. “Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.” 

The Greek word for “provided for” is diakoneo. It is the word from which we get deacon: to minister to one, render ministering offices to, to attend to anything that may serve another’s interests. This passage says that certain women accompanied Jesus on His journeys, along with His disciples. Jesus knew the value of women and needed their services and ministry. He still does.

As we observe the Easter season, women hold a prominent place in the Passion of Christ. Faithful to the end, women were there exhibiting the gift of presence. I’m reminded of the old song, Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? The answer is a resounding, “Yes,” women were there. Throughout His three-year ministry, women were there—weeping, worshiping, working, watching, waiting… 

Women are so valued by the Lord that after His death, burial, and resurrection, He appeared first to women. “Now when he was risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons” (Mark 16:9).

Women are also witnesses, heralding the Good News. It was a woman, Mary Magdalene, who was entrusted with the message at the very first “Son-rise” service.

As we worship this Easter Sunday, and every day thereafter, let’s continue to proclaim the marvelous message, “He is risen!” 

When our children were little I made sure that on Thursdays we knew what we would wear on Sundays. That way there would be no last-minute surprises, such as something needing mending, washing, or ironing. That’s still a handy practice and one that we can apply to our spiritual lives, as well.

Many of us grew up singing the chorus that admonished us to, “Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” No matter what I plan to wear, the garment of praise is a must! 

Praise is active adoration of God.  Action is its hallmark.  Never secretive or passive, praise is purposeful and powerful.

 The Bible tells us why, when, and how we should praise God.  Here are ten reasons why we should praise God:

1.         We were created to praise God (Isa. 43:21; 1 Pet. 2:9).

2.         God deserves to be praised (Ps. 18:3; Ps. 113:3; Rev. 4:11).

3.         Praise is the gateway into God’s presence (Ps. 100:4; Matt. 6:9).

4.         Praise wards off the spirit of heaviness (Isa. 61:1-3).

5.         God has given us many blessings and benefits (Ps. 103:2-5; Eph. 1:3).

6.         It is fitting for God’s children to praise Him (Ps. 33:1).

7.         Praise is a spiritual sacrifice that pleases God (Heb. 13:15; 1 Pet. 2:5).

8.         Praise is a prelude to victory (Josh. 6:1-5; 2 Chron. 20:1-24; Ps. 50:23).

9.         Praise is a prelude to deliverance (Acts 16:25-26).

10.       God is to be praised for who He is (Ps. 48:1).

When someone was all dressed up we used to say they were wearing their “glad rags.” That’s what I think about the garment of praise. Praise makes me glad, lifts my spirits, silences the enemy, and glorifies God. 

Praise isn’t just for Sundays at church. God is worthy to be praised every day. Praise is always in style, never becomes outdated, and can never be outgrown. Praise is like that one-size-fits-all garment that looks good on every believer. Get your praise on!