Perfectly Imperfect

Many times in the support role of our spouses, we can get caught up in what we think the congregation expect us to be. Typically, in most cases (not all) when your family lives in the spotlight you all of a sudden have a sometimes never-ending list of rules that may be expected of you as the pastor's wife. Here are a few in no particular order:
#1 be in the choir
#2 run a Bible study on a Sunday morning or a small group
#3 organize fellowship dinners & sign up to bring one of the meats on the list.
#4 be in the nursery
#5 know scripture....by heart and quote where it is in the Bible
#6 The rest isn't really a single thing that can be done but are other things that are expected; certain dress attire, expectations of my children, phone calls to members, visitations, help with bulletins, sign up to volunteer for anything else that I didn't list before, cook in the church kitchen if needed, volunteer for vacation bible school.....and on and on and on.
Sounds tiring doesn't it?
What is all boils down to is an expectation of unrealistic perfectionism.
I am perfectly imperfect.
 Of the above listed here is the actual list of what I am:
#1 I can't sing very well and every time I try, it becomes an idol and I want to sing more then I want God so unless urged by the Holy Spirit I avoid it like the plague.
#2 I am not an adult Bible  study leader and I may not ever be. I do better with kids. They are more forgiving.
#3 I enjoy cooking when I have time but 5 of the 7 days out of the week we are busy so if I sign up for food you'll likely see a Taco Bell 12 pack on the table or some other premade processed deliciousness. Mild sauce anyone?
#4 sure I'll sign up for a Sunday on a rotation since my youngest is in there but please don't expect to see me in there every Sunday. I need spiritual renewal from the sermon just like all of the volunteer staff do.
#5 I can't even remember what I did last week, and while I do my Bible study- Google is my best friend please be patient while I look it up for you.
#6 while I struggle to make sure we all leave at a decent time to pick up the rest of the people that want to go to church and stuff us in like sardines into our Ford Focus- I'm thankful I'm not in my pajamas but even still someone will either think or say what they want about the way I'm dressed. My kids aren't perfect. Our oldest is well behaved and our youngest is just a baby-as they grow please be kind to them because they are watching how others in the church treat them and I don't want them resenting church as they get older. The others in this section don't need much elaboration.
 When I was so stressed and crying over what the expectation would be of me when the role of pastor's wife began my husband assured me the only expectation that I had to be was just me. I am a pastor wife and I am very proud to be. I am also still me. I work full time, I love Christ's church & I'll do anything to help you. My #1 job is to support my husband with love and prayer & my #2 job is to help raise our kids.  Often times with such stigmatism on what to be or not be in this role, no matter what we are criticized. Sometimes we are lonely if the unrealistic expectation list is there because for whatever reason people don't want to befriend us. Befriend your pastor wife. Love and encourage her. Bring her coffee because if she's anything like me, she is often tired. Before you befriend her please remember she is not perfect.