One of the rare privaleges in ministry is for us to be married and work alongside our partner. Well, we don't always work
literally alongside each other. But, we're working in tandem, passing off batons, planning our time strategically so each gets his/her turn to "do it". Sometimes the stuff of daily living takes precedence and the ratio is never completely balanced 50/50. But, we must strive to see ourselves working together as a unit. We must keep our fingers on the pulse, balancing the going out in ministry with the
going out or
retreating for refreshment, and the coming together in joint activities or prayer. This dance is the
most tricky and the
essential key for marital harmony and effectiveness on the field. Nowhere else is this more accentuated than when we live together in a cross-cultural setting ,with another language and so many expectations placed upon us. Not to mention the fact that our home
is office
is entertainment all wrapped up in one. It's no wonder that this is where we can be most vulnerable.
Just some thoughts:
- Is the family reliant on only one parent to manage the household tasks?
- Are we keeping track of how much time each of us are taking for outside ministry, exercise, or tasks outside the home? (We might find that tasks are being done outside, but that this isn't time in ministry or refueling.)
- Are we in too much of a reacting mode or a proactive planning mode with our time? (Either, to the exclusion of the other, isn't healthy)
- Is there margin time in our day (for the "interruption" of a neighbor coming over)?
- Are we going along with the flow of our host culture and taking advantage of "seasons" where being outdoors or being sociable is what the people are doing? Or are we so busy ourselves (on holiday or vacation or doing summer projects) during this time and then trying to make things happen socially when the culture is "checked out" and at work again?
