A Pastor’s Wife Weekly Routine That Fits It All In

Even thinking about my weekly schedule makes me dizzy. I am pastor’s wife with my iron in many fires, as they say. Here is what I have to say about fitting it all into my weekly routine.

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This post is written by Cypress King.

Early mornings, late nights, coffee, and lots of prayer.

That about sums it up…

There isn’t a super human trick to “getting it all done” as a pastor’s wife. It’s just about the daily dedication, love, and honestly that make it happen.

It takes dedication to serve (minister) intentionally. It takes loving God and his people to endure through fatigue and headache. Last but not least, it takes honestly (with yourself and others) to be effective.

Even thinking about my weekly routine makes me dizzy.

• I homeschool my children, minister in music and ladies Bible studies, support my husband, write Sunday school curriculum, teach a dozen or so music lessons a week, involve my kids in multiple extra curricular activities, manage a small farm, teach multiple weekly Bible studies, assist in a virtual homeschool co-op, write, coach a traveling Bible Quizzing team, work out four days a week, and keep house.

Let’s talk about it.

Service is Sacrifice

Understanding that the job at hand will often times be a sacrifice prepares me for my week.

There will be times where I place other peoples needs above my own. There will be times when I council, pray, study for, or just simply talk to someone when I would much rather be hiding in my room with a chocolate bar.

Servanthood (ministry) is a calling. Fitting it all in each week isn’t always possible, so there are times where I let my wants get pushed back to another time. It’s nothing to be upset about because being in God’s will is worth it all.

I recently had a discussion with a lady I was doing a Bible study with. She was concerned with the scriptures that talked about us (God’s people) being servants. It is clear from God’s teachings that He has called to be free from bondage.

Galatians 4:7 says- Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Then, there are verses in the Bible that refer to us being the servant of God.

“So, which is it… are we supposed to be servants or not?” she asked.

Here was my response:

The word for servant found in Galatians 4:7, where God calls us to be mo more a servant, comes from the Greek word doulos which means slave. He is saying that he doesn’t want us to be slaves. Slaves don’t serve because they love their masters. Slaves don’t have any ownership in their land, labors, or families.

Serving him is a sacrifice yes, but it’s done out of relationship, not from a slavery mentality. Instead, it’s done from a ministry mentality. Ministering doesn’t yield regret, resentment, or selfish ambitions.

Side note- Taking care of myself isn’t a selfish act. It’s about keeping the peace. Read tending to mind/body/soul below.

Seeking Peace

It’s notable that fitting it all in my weekly routine as a pastor’s wife has everything to do with my mental status. If I’m not at peace with God, myself, and others… you can forget about it.

Consequently, I might get it all done, but I’ll be burnt-out, tired, and just plain grumpy.

There are three avenues that we should seek peace in our lives. We need peace with God (being in his perfect will), peace with ourself (being able to lay our head down at night with completeness), and peace with others (which only comes from having the first two things.)

Have you ever heard it said that, “You can’t pour from an empty vessel?”

Well… it’s so very true. I have found that If I haven’t been in the presence of the Lord, I can’t minister to others. Psalms 16:11 says- Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy.

You see, in his presence is where God is able to pour out his perfect peace over my life. This is one reason why I have to start my day in prayer. If I seek him early, I can accomplish anything that day.

I love the verse that says- Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord (Zechariah 4:6). It’s only by His Spirit that I have the strength to fit it all in.

Realistic Expectations

Setting realistic expectations for my weekly schedule is key to fitting git all in. However, it’s something that I often struggle with. Maybe its overconfidence? Maybe it’s just plain stubbornness.

I have had to learn a few thing’s about being realistic:

• If it stressful and ruining the entire day, get rid of it.
• When a repeated activity doesn’t work on a given day, change it.
• Move things that are too close together.
• Say, “No” when time just doesn’t allow.
• Consider the kids and how scheduling affects them.
• Be honest with people about how much time there is.
• Make time for myself to unwind and re-charge.

This leads me to my next point- taking care of my mind, body, and soul is vital for being able to accomplish my crazy weekly schedule.

Tending to Mind/Body/Soul

We are not one dimensional creatures. Let me explain…

God created us with a mind (our thought processes, emotions, intentions, and will). He also created us with a body (which we strive to keep holy while we are living on planet Earth). Likewise, he created us with a soul (the eternal part of us that lives on forever).

Consequently, we have to tend to each of these aspects of ourself in order to stay balanced. I plan on keeping up with my weekly routine, I have to keep these three in check.

There is a train of thought within some Christians that push for total mind over matter and spirituality without balance. I don’t agree with this. We have to take care of ourselves in all of these areas to be successful in whatever walk we have with the Lord.

One of the ways I do this is by taking a daily escape. No, I’m not running away. I am just listening to what I need and allowing myself time to recharge.

My weekly routine is so hectic, that If I don’t take the necessary steps to keep my mind, body, and soul healthy… I won’t fit it all in.

The mind needs…

• rest,
• peace,
• time,
• nutrition,
• organization,
• healthy relationships, and
• gratification.

The body needs…

• rest,
• nutrition,
• exersize,
• happiness,
• positivity,
• comfort, and
• affection.

The soul needs…

• to be in the presense of God,
• joy,
• peace,
• contentment,
• gratitude,
• the word of God, and
• fellowship with brothers & sisters in the Lord.

I know that sounds like a lot of demands. However, when they aren’t met things take a domino affect. On the flip side, when all these needs are met… I’m pretty invincible.

Not perfect for sure! However, I’m fairly good at tackling this crazy weekly routine and getting it all done.