Originally published in the April 24, 2008 issue of The Evangel.
by Sally Crosby
It's 5:30 a.m. and Josh's alarm goes off. It's a Wednesday, and Wednesdays are long days in our house. Josh goes to breakfast with 3 high school guys. An hour or so later, Jackson and I head out the door for school and work. Jackson keeps asking, "Daddy? Daddy?"
Jump ahead to bedtime. While reading books and saying our prayers, we pray for Daddy who is at the Edge, probably speaking to the youth right now. "Daddy? Daddy home?" Jackson asks. ARGH!!! I didn't mean to mention Daddy. Once again, I explain Daddy will be home later and put him to bed. I sigh and just wish I could help him understand where Daddy is.
This doesn't happen every Wednesday, but there are many days we just don't see much of each other as a family. Sometimes a whole day goes by where Josh and Jackson don't see each other.
Being on the church staff has many wonderful perks. And one of the biggest joys we have is knowing that Josh is doing what God has called him to do. Josh and the rest of our church staff have been called to lead our church to impact Nashville for Christ in incredible ways. We feel so loved by the body of believers at First Baptist Nashville and you all have become our family here. We love you!
But there are challenges, like nights and weekends Josh will be away from home at youth or church functions or at retreats. There are also some holidays without seeing family, breakfast meetings with youth or other area youth pastors, night meetings at Starbucks to plan camp, deacons meetings, and lunches out getting to know college interns. It's hard not to be able to go to a Sunday School class together. There's the challenge of letting go of what other people think because we are not the perfect family, we make mistakes, and we can't live up to the unrealistic expectation that we've got it all together or we never mess up.
Ultimately though, I feel blessed to be married to a church staff member. With the Lord's help, I can love and support and encourage my husband in his vocation, just like anybody else. And with the Lord's help, I am able to let go of bitterness about some sacrifices that need to be made for our family. You see, God has been preparing me all my life, not only to be Josh's wife, but to be his partner in ministry as well.
