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Quiet Moments for Ministry Wives

(book review)

Quiet Moments for Ministry Wives Do you have a coffee friend—someone you can meet without an agenda at a moment’s notice no matter how you look? Some of us do, and we know how enriching that kind of friendship is. But if you do not, a good book might be a viable substitute!

Anyone who feels the need for a friend to talk with might do well to fix some coffee and sit down with a book compiled specifically for women like us: Quiet Moments for Ministry Wives (Beacon Hill Press, 2006). Compiled by Joyce Williams, a pastor’s wife from Wichita, Kansas, the writers are other pastors’ wives from across the nation.

The book’s topics cover the spectrum of ministerial life, like easy rambling conversation among friends. Each writer shares from her personal life, giving encouraging words to others who might be having similar experiences. Their stories are brief and to the point so you can easily read one for a daily devotion, or several at a time for relaxation.

These women—who can become your coffee friends—have varied experiences. There’s Gladys, who lost her husband and sons in India, saying: “Be faithful to whatever you are called to do …never say ‘quit.’” Patty didn’t marry a preacher, but she learned to accept his call after they were married. Kendra discovered her ministry was to her family.

I think what I like about the book is that the women come through as real. Kelly candidly talks about dealing with bulimia because she was “Too broken to trust.” Linda talks about “peace in the time of crisis.” Sally shares about the woman who patiently helped her as a young pastor’s wife—the woman who gave her “wings for ministry.”

Hopefully, reading these short devotionals from real women living real lives of faith in the Lord will give readers similar wings—as well as some new coffee friends!