Why I’m Reluctant

I really am a likable person. I’m friendly, funny, down-to-earth, loving, sensitive. I keep confidences. I love helping people. I’m not a drama queen at all, which makes me pleasantly predictable. I’m a low-maintenance friend who loves a good movie, a good steak, a good deal at Kohl’s and good company regardless of other people’s social or economic status.

My husband of 27-plus years seems to like having me around, even though I’m far from the perfect wife. My daughters from another mother have given me the special honor of calling me “Mommy” —  without pressure from me or their dad — since our wedding day. My young adult sons have actually posted on their Facebook pages that their dad and I are “freakin’ awesome.” Pretty shocking, so it must be true! Plus, at least three young families have entrusted me and Charlton to be the Godparents of their children.

Finally, as a pastor’s wife, I’m approachable, genuinely pleased to serve, no work in the church is beneath me, and I expect no special treatment (except maybe the first piece of chocolate cake at refreshments time, but I’m working on that!).

What’s the point?

Okay. I admit it. I’m too concerned about what other people think about me. I want everyone to like me.  So, that’s one reason why I’ve dubbed myself The Reluctant First Lady. I want everyone to like me and to like my new blog.

But this blog is going to ruffle some feathers on a lot of church hats.

Sure, this blog will be a breath of fresh air to a lot of people who will appreciate candid commentary on what’s wrong with many of today’s Christian churches — especially coming from a pastor’s wife.

But some folks will decide to not like me. Some folks who thought they liked me, will change their minds. Some who already don’t like me, will now hate me and say, “See, this is what I’m talking about.” As I describe on my Name Calling page, I’m already used to it. But it still makes me hesitate.

But since I’m supposed to do everything as onto The Lord and not other mere human beings like myself, I need to be okay with that. This blog is what I prayerfully believe God has commissioned me to do, in spite of the risks. As Acts 4:19-20 (NIV) says, But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Therefore, shame on me if I don’t do it, and double shame on me if it’s because I’m trying to please people over pleasing my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Another reason I’m The Reluctant First Lady has to do with the practice of giving special title and honor to pastors’ wives.  However popular, traditional and even well-meaning this practice is (at least in some communities’ churches), it is not biblical. Indeed, I think it’s close to being anti-biblical when you consider the “fruit” of its daily application in so many churches.

I go into more detail on the Name Calling page, which also explains why I prefer to be called “Sister Laurel.” Suffice it to say for now that, that is why I’m reluctant to even half-way refer to myself as a so-called “first lady.” There is no biblical precedence for it, it immediately invokes a difference in entitlement in the church, and that difference is too often abused.

I go ahead and do it only in the context of this blog because — and only because — candidly, it will hopefully provoke people to investigate it. I believe the Lord has given me some things to say, that I hate to have to say, but that I feel compelled by Him to say; and if the name of my blog gets more ears to hear it, then praise the Lord. If I’m wrong about this approach, I pray He correct me.

Can’t get more transparent about it than that.

So, I hope you will get much out of reading this blog and following my regular posts.

What you can expect is an effort to base everything I post on the inerrant Word of God, the Bible, taken in proper context and expressed as lovingly as possible but without compromising for the sake of making you (or me) feel better.

What I expect in return is for you to prayerfully consider what is being said in light of the inerrancy of God’s Word, taken in proper context, and not to take anything as a personal attack against you or anyone you admire. If you don’t like what’s being said, please let me know, but please do so lovingly, with the mutual goal of both of us growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To learn more about “Sister Laurel” (aka, the Reluctant First Lady) and my background, please visit the Who She Think She Is? page (yeah, sometimes I can get ebonical).

For more details about the mission of The Reluctant First Lady blog, read these pages:

If you have any general questions or comments, visit the Curious About Anything? page.

If you are looking for a unique speaker on contemporary Christian women’s issues, get more information on the Need a Guest Speaker? page.

Finally, so you can see that I’m not just one-dimensional in my calling and my God-given talents, back on the Home page, you’ll find devotionals I’ve written over the years on a variety of general Christian topics listed under “Miscellaneous Devotionals.”

May God’s perfect will and purpose be accomplished with this website, for Christians’ personal spiritual growth for the glory of Jesus Christ. In His Name, I pray. Amen.

In Christ’s grip,
Sister Laurel J. Davis
The Reluctant First Lady