Hey everyone. I couldn’t sleep. It is 4 something in the morning and my mind was whirling. I couldn’t seem to turn it off. I started remembering this story and thought I would share it with you. I don’t know if you’ll agree, but these are just my thoughts. If it doesn’t make sense, it is because it so early and I am sooo hungry! ;]

I was once a member of the church where the Pastor said in a sermon that his daughter had done something wrong (I can’t remember what, it wasn’t huge, she was only about 8 years old) and he said to his daughter, “Why did you do that? You know you shouldn’t have done that, you’re the Pastor’s daughter.” This girl seemed to resent the fact that she was a preacher’s daughter. May I say, I can see why! She didn’t ask to be a preacher’s kid. There wasn’t a big push at church for all who wanted to be in the pastor’s family to please “sign up”. So, why did it matter? Aren’t we all called to a higher standard as Christians? Jesus wants the world to see His reflection in us. Also, on the selfish side, living life His way brings innumerable blessings. This doesn’t apply to pastors only. If you’re His child, then you can get in on the blessings, too!
We try to live to a high standard, not because we are better than anyone else, not because we believe in a works salvation and not because we are the pastor’s family, but because of one reason: we are Christians. We do right because of Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.

My husband and I were married for seven years before he entered full time paid ministry. But we were in full time unpaid ministry for seven years prior to receiving the salary. We do not do one thing differently now than before we were a “Pastor”. We read our Bibles then, and now. We dressed modestly then, and now. We did not watch filthy TV then, or now. We attended church faithfully then, and now. We went out soul winning then, and now. We corrected our children for disobedience then, and now. We did not listen to wicked music then, or now. We did not use foul language or even crude language then, or now. We did not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes then, or now. We were honest then, and now. We tithed and gave to missions then, and now. Why? Because as Christians, we read the Bible and found verses that instructed us to live this way. Not because we thought “Well, we’re gonna be pastoring, so we better clean up our life for the job.” We do not live this way because there is a contract that pastors must sign before they can get a church. We live this way because the Bible teaches it. We live this way because we try to obey the Lord. Jesus said If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15 I love Him, and I want to obey Him. Oh, I need to do more. You all already know that. But, I’m trying.

When my daughter asks me why we do or don’t do something, I say “Lauren, we live this way because we’re Christians, and we try to do what the Bible says.” When she or Mitch or Leslie does wrong, Terry says “Why did you do that? You know that ________is a sin. The Bible says…” and then he fills in the verse. We are hoping that if we teach them what the Bible says that there will be a good chance they will live by the Bible as an adult. My teaching is faulty. My example is frail at best. But the Bible’s teaching is infallible. Jesus is the perfect example. I hope I can keep their eyes on Him!
As the song says:
The Bible stands, though the hills may tumble.
The Bible stands, though earth may shatter and crumble.
I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,
though all around is sinking sand, the Bible stands!

The church people watch us closely. So does the world. I hope I am pointing everyone to Him.