Life is all about perspective. Viewing life through the lens of a child is different than the lens of an adult. Even when experiences belong to the same person, perspectives can easily change. Over the course of my life, I have found my perspective shifting in the various ministry roles God has given me. From pastor's kid, to pastor's spouse, to the mother of a pastoring family, each life stage has brought a new angle to see ministry from. But it hasn't always been easy.

Perspective 1: Ministry kid

I often joke that I was born on a pew. I can't remember much of my life without church or ministry. My dad was in pastoral ministry before I was born, and when I came into this world, I came as a "preacher's kid." For me, it was an honor of sorts. I was Brother Monty's daughter. From a child's perspective, you had to appreciate me and put up with me, or so I thought. Not always the easiest to teach, I met my match with a few youth ministers.

But ...