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The rite of ordination does not override the rite of marriage. Both are noble callings, and one is not the "higher calling." Both were instituted by God for the sanctification of his people. By some curious act of his grace, this sanctification includes the clergy.
Gregory P. Elder

Eventually, every minister's wife runs into some element of church life that makes her life difficult. Sometimes the experience is jarring. Consider the following true story:

"We arrived at our first pastorate at the end of September, having been delayed by an accident on the way in which my tailbone was broken. Since I was nearly eight months pregnant at the time, it did not heal until after the delivery. I had to do my work alternating between periods of standing up and lying down. I carried an inflated rubber ring everywhere I went, since sitting on it helped to ease the pain a bit.

"Somehow, I managed to get some boxes unpacked, and even started toilet training my toddler. The ordination service, at which my husband was to be officially installed as pastor, was set for the end of October. I played the organ for the service while perched on my rubber ring. Afterward I served sandwiches, dessert, and coffee to about thirty people in the parsonage. Everyone seemed to think it was my job, and I never questioned it.

"Our second baby was born on November 14. This released pressure from my tailbone, so it started healing. I was nursing the baby, and all was going well. The basement still contained boxes needing to be unpacked, many windows were waiting for curtains to be sewn, the toilet training of our toddler had hit an impasse, and I remember brief moments when I doubted that, should I live to be eighty, I would ever get my dishes and ironing all ...

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