Monday, October 17, 2011

The Missionary Wife's Perspective (Introduction)

The home has been compared to the Trinity.  The husband (as God the Son) follows God (God the Father) while the wife (as God the Holy Spirit) is in submission to both.  Therefore, the wife's role in the home, just as the Holy Spirit's role in the Trinity, is to provide the spirit.... the atmosphere... in the home. 

I control the atmosphere in my home.  And, no, I am not talking about a control box on the wall that determines the heat or cool air that will infiltrate a room at the touch of a button.  (No such thing here, anyway!)  I am talking about my attitude.  If I wake up in a sour mood, more than likely my children will be fussy and my husband will be unhappy.  However, if I wake up with a smile in my heart and on my face, everyone's day will more than likely go much smoother and certainly much more pleasant.

A wife faces a multitude of challenges on the mission field that are different from the normal wife's challenges.  Many times, the improper response to these challenges are, "If I only lived in America, I wouldn't be going through this."  This attitude leads to bitterness and resentment of the mission field and a longing to return to the "utopia" that she left back home.  This discontent spirit seeps into the home and discourages the husband, until, one day, the entire family potentially resigns from the mission field.

This new series could have been named The Missionary Wife's Challenges.  But, I decided against that title because, even though that is indeed what I will be writing about, I want this series to be positive.... a yes,-it-has-its-challenges,-but-look-at-all-of-the-benefits-type of series. {whew!  That was a lot of dashes to insert!}  So, instead, I am going to try keeping it all in perspective...

Remember... the value of a soul is priceless.

And our struggles are soooo t.e.m.p.o.r.a.r.y.

The Missionary Wife's Perspective is for three groups of people:
  • For our prayer partners back home.  I hope to help our dear, praying friends realize the full extent of difficulties that the missionary wife can face on the field.  This will better equip you to pray more deeply and more specifically for young missionary families.
  • For the young lady preparing to be a missionary's wife.  I hope to show you, dear friend, that there will be challenges, but that, if you expect them, you can overcome them!
  • For the missionary wife.  More than anything, sweet sister in Christ, I want you to realize that your role in the home as the "Holy Spirit" is more important than you may have ever realized.  You have the ability to make or break your missionary man, and I hope to inspire you to cheer him on instead of pull him away from his calling to the field.
My hubby and I are approaching our 10-year anniversary of being in Ukraine.  Looking back over the last 10 years, I see areas where the devil has specifically fought me, the wife of a missionary, in order to discourage my husband.  Though I am by no means a qualified veteran, I am entering a new decade, so to speak, of missions.  And, as I move on to the next decade, I want to record my memories here of what the first 10 years were like.

And I hope to teach and encourage, if even just one person, along the way!  

14 comments:

  1. So, so important, Jolene. I know this will be a series I will "devour," and will look forward to each one!

    I pray for you as you fulfill such an important role...Please pray for me as well. Thank you for being such a wonderful wife to our David.

    We all love you!
    Anna

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  2. That is so true, Jolene. I remember that my mom always tried to make things fun for us; if she was sick or wasn't home, things just weren't quite right. I needed this reminder! Thank you! Laura

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  3. So excited for this! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. I always enjoy your writings! What you say is always a blessing and so nicely put. : )

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  5. Wow, I thought of the same thoughts. I also thought to myself...can't call it challenges...maybe somethng along the lines of talking about reality! Again, no need for complaining but a cup or two full of flexibility sure comes in handy as a missionary's wife. Great post and look forward to the others! Love ya!

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  6. Jolene, just a quick note to let you know how much I appreciate your SWEET attitude! I really pray that you "Perspective" will be a real help to young wives (as well as old) Over the years I have seen how destructive a wife's attitude can completely destroy a ministry. The man goes off and performs the "ministry" while the wife stays home with the kids and begins to resent that ministry. I know a lot of men prefer doing it on their own, but, it's SO important to work together and to look out for each other. Satan can really get in there and tear things up when you're no looking out for each other.

    Anyway, thanks for taking time in you VERY busy life to be a blessing to others. Love ya, Jolene, and praying for you and yours
    Debbie

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  7. Dear Jolene,
    I am looking forward to reading your new series. I have a couple of posts
    I've been working on about similar things.
    Love ya,
    Mona

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  8. YOU CONTINUE TO BLESS MY LIFE WITH YOUR SWEET SPIRIT. MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY AS YOU CONTINUE TO SERVE HIM IN THE NEW DECADE.
    LOVE TO YOU,
    VICKI

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  9. Hi! I came over from Jessica's blog. We live in Zaporozhskaya oblast. We just passed our ten year anniversary in this part of the world. (Not only in Ukraine; we were in Russia first.) I think I've glanced at your blog before, but never commented or read much. Now I plan to read much more regularly.

    This looks like it will be a great series! You made me laugh out loud with this: "different from the normal wife's challenges." What? We're not normal?!? :-D Seriously, though, I love the idea that we are responsible for our home's atmosphere.

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  10. Oh my dear sister in the Lord, I am certainly in group #1, praying for you and your family. But, as a military wife, and now especially living overseas, I feel like a "missionary wife." *smile* In so many ways, my attitude affects my husband's career and our precious babies. This new season for me has been a challenge and I'm growing in leaps and bounds (hee. hee.)!! So, all that to say that I'm excited about your new series and learning from what our Heavenly Father has taught you! *Hugs*

    Oh, and congratulations on 10 years, serving faithfully in Ukraine!

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  11. Love your work...all of it! Happy for your new endeavor. What a testimony your family is. Praying for you!
    Love you!
    ~Mrs. May~

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  12. Excellent, Jolene. You put it beautifully and how true! Like everyone else, greatly looking forward to this series.

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  13. p.s. LOVE the look of your blog. :)

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  14. As part of the 2nd group, I'm excited and already certain that this is going to be a blessing to me - as you have been many times already!
    Thank you for taking the time to let the Lord work through you - and for being willing to share!

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Thank you for your encouraging comments! "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25