ALLEN PARK, MI – Wow! I am a pastor’s WIFE? Who among you know that God has a strange sense of humor? Some say His ways are foolish! (1 Corinthians 2:14) I wholeheartedly agree! How else would you describe the process of taking this teen unwed mother, pan-theistic, bar-hopping, aspiring country music singer and transforming her into a God-loving, gospel-sharing, child of the Most-High God? Yep. God’s got jokes!
Thanks to a pastor who unashamedly shared the Gospel with our family, and a church who lovingly discipled us; thanks to God for allowing us to stumble and grow, my Pastor/Hubby Tim (PH) and I watched Him conform ‘our’ dreams into His plan. (Jeremiah 29:11)
I was “in the zone” when I wrote the above.... I just returned to finish my article 24-hours later. Where have I been? I’m glad you asked! I paused to help facilitate a workplace Bible Study downtown. I went to the home improvement store for my PH. I painted the first coat of polyurethane on the new floor. I ran a visiting evangelist, who is also a Pastor’s Wife, and my BFF, (check out allenministries.com) around town on errands. I rushed back to the church to give food to a hurting family. I lay down for a nap, but the doorbell rang as a neighbor returned items she borrowed. I ran back to church to give food to hurting family number two. I applied the second coat of poly while I made dinner for our visiting guests. I hosted girls’ night for a movie, prayed with a few people over the phone, then went to bed.
I blinked and it was time to wake! Today’s activities included morning errands, applying the third coat of polyurethane and helping prepare for Saturday’s memorial service. Our Manna Ministry delivered over 600 loaves of bread to a senior apartment complex and two food pantries. After a quick (HA! 2+hours!) trip to the store, I made it home and helped arrange food for an impromptu cookout. Somewhere in there I did three loads of laundry, and other household chores. I helped format and print promotional material for our ministry friends as they prepared to hit the road again.
After a relaxing dinner, my BFF and I are here watching a movie while we each work on our computer. Michelle is catching up on the family’s bills, and I am preparing this little article. But I digress….
I am Gayle Marie Jones, and I am a Pastor’s Wife. As I was saying, God has a GREAT sense of humor. The last 24 hours have been awesome because I have spent it helping my husband, my neighbors, my best friend and her family’s ministry. I fed the hungry, comforted the widows and orphans, cared for the lame, and even had a bit of time to relax.
Beloved, I love my job! God simply asks me – and YOU – to show up! Then He uses me – and YOU – “… to comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
I won’t lie – there are days when I feel overwhelmed, but those days are few. I’m blessed with a PH who gets it when I need to stop and recharge. But I get going again because people have to know about Jesus (Acts 4:20). Sometimes I think God is kidding when He chooses to use me and I gotta laugh and trust Him. Yeah. God’s got jokes.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gayle Marie Jones is the First Lady of The Road Church in Allen Park Michigan. She is wife of Tim, Mom of 5, Grandmother of 12 and “Momma Gayle” to countless others.