By Sherry Graf
Do you know you have one of the hardest jobs in The Navigators work? Really, you do!
Awhile ago Deb Maschoff shared with me a conversation she had with Leroy Eims when she was a young mommy missionary.
Leroy Eims shared at our table one night many years ago with our intern staff—-Dana Yeakley was one of those!! Leroy was asked, “What is the best job in The Navigators?” He answered immediately, “Being a local nav rep”. Next he was asked, “What is the hardest job in The Navigators?” Without hesitation he answered, “Being a Nav wife!!” We asked for an explanation and he pointed out a Nav wife has all the pressures of every other wife and mother plus an entire ministry is run from her home that is enhanced greatly if she is a laborer and shares her husband’s life and passion.
You might be asking why I would share that with you as you launch into a new school year. It isn’t so you can justify your nightly dark chocolate and Netflix after the kids are in bed and hubby is gone for the tenth night in a row (do we ever need to justify chocolate?). The reason I bring this up now is to affirm you. If this feels hard it’s because it IS HARD. But it is also so very good.
As a young wife in training with Navs I remember reading Gail MacDonald’s book, High Call, High Privilege. In it she shared both the excitement and struggles of living life as a wife in ministry. It truly is such a privilege to be married to a godly man first and foremost. Do you remember the years of singleness dreaming for a partner who would be as passionate about Jesus as you are? Do you remember his zeal for the Lord that first attracted you to him among other things? Being married to a godly spouse is such a gift from the Lord. It took years of running our own campus and a few student weddings for me to realize this I wasn’t just influencing this one gal. I was helping her walk with Christ which impacted her decision to marry a godly man, which impacted the lives of her future children who are now growing up in a godly home.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Col. 3:23, 24
Blessings,
Sherry
Sherry joined staff in 1997. She robbed the cradle and married a handsome student (gasp!) named Jeff in 2000. Since then they have served in WI, SD and now in CO. They have 3 boys ages 8-13 and there is never a dull moment in their house. 3 years ago Sherry finally got her girl, a black and white lab mix who is her constant shadow. Jeff works with operations and training for collegiate. Sherry enjoys writing and encouraging mommy missionaries when she isn’t busy homeschooling.