For Heaven's Sake
Linda Riley
January 1, 1997
The children were play-acting on the back porch. I could hear them through the kitchen window as I worked at my computer, answering correspondence for the ministry I direct
Cute, I thought. They're playing house-or maybe school. But I began to hear about secretaries, mailing lists, and catalogs. Amanda proclaimed herself "The Director," telling the others, "Go away now. I'm busy.
Hmmmm. I called out, "Sweeties, what are you playing?
"Nonprofit corporation," they shouted. Nonprofit corporation? They can pronounce "nonprofit corporation"? And the director acts busy and self-important and shoos her children away? Uh-oh
I took a coffee break to mull over what I'd just heard. I had been trying to balance the duties of a pastor's wife, mother of four, and director of a ministry to ministry families. Could it be possible that some area of my life was being neglected? Or some area of four little lives
That night, I dreamed my children grew up and wrote a best-seller about me: Pastor's Wife Dearest. Oprah lined up a show with the theme, "Pitiful Adult Children of Neglectful Christian Leaders with Mixed-Up Priorities." Leaning in for a misty-eyed close-up, Oprah asked, "We've all seen your mother acting sweet on Christian television. Tell us what she was really like at home.
Alex answered, "Well, she was an expert on fam-ily life in the ministry. But we rarely saw her." Autumn defended me, "She always kissed us good-bye on her way to the airport.
I jumped out of bed, determined to prevent publication of that book! Oh, yes, and to win the respect and affection of my precious darlings. A homemade chocolate cake was waiting for them after school. Stevie asked, "Mom, who's that for?
I smiled sweetly. "I baked it just for you, dear.
"Uh-huh. ...
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