Attending a General Conference Session is a spiritual high for many. For some it is a great opportunity to re-connect with friends right across the globe, but for those whose positions are up for election it is a time of uncertainty. I fell in the latter category, but for me it is also a time when I have to draw closer to God through prayer and rely on my family for support.
I had many highlights at the GC session, like Pastor Kohler’s sermon on the last Sabbath, the closing song that made you think you were in heaven and the vibrant flag parade. However, my highpoint was not the moment when I was voted in as the CFO for the South Pacific Division (SPD), but standing on the stage with my devoted wife next to me, faithful and quietly strong, holding hands as the SPD report was delivered and she whispered in my ear how proud she was of me and how I could be assured of her support.
As leaders of the Church we sometimes forget how important that support is and how many sacrifices our families have made for us to serve in a leadership role. My wife had to give up her career and follow me wherever I was called to serve. Then there is the loneliness she faces when I travel—supporting the family on her own for key family events like birthdays, anniversaries, school events and graduations. We have moved between several countries, and every time we have had to say goodbye to friends and family and move our children to new schools. She has had to deal with many issues with our children growing up, often without my support because I had to be in a board meeting or needed to be at the GC Executive committee. If there was a burst pipe, I would be in PNG. If there was a massive storm and our electricity was out for days, I would be in Fiji.
I praise God for the loving, understanding, patient and resilient wife He has given me. Life gets really busy when you are in leadership or ministry following God’s calling, but those close to us often pay the price and offer support in unseen ways so we can serve faithfully.
