#65

When I talk about our son,
I refer to him as "our son".
I don't say he is "my husband's son",
even though that's true.
I don't call myself "a father's wife."
That would be unnecessary.

So, why do well-intentioned women call themselves
 a "pastor's wife"
or a "church-planter's wife"?
Because the male-centric church
considers women as second-class citizens.

We let our very language
decide our value
instead of listening to
the value awarded
by the Creator;
the value restored
by the Redeemer;
the value empowered
by the Counselor.

My husband cannot plant a church
anymore than I can plant a family.
We plant tomatillos and sugar snap peas.
We plant native shrubs to
keep our hillside from crumbling.
But if the Church grows in our neighborhood,
Scripture is clear,
it is the working of Jesus Christ.

So as I strive alongside
my husband and son,
sharing the Good News with everyone,
we watch our words,
the wellspring of Life.