First Ladies Diaries :: Sis. Melody McClain, FNP-C

Today, as part of our First Ladies Diaries series, we're catching up with Sis. Melody McClain, pastor’s wife of Apostolic Temple in Pasadena, Texas! Like most pastor’s wives, Sis McClain wears many other hats, including (but not limited to) mother, grandmother, musician, and Family Nurse Practitioner.

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Sis. McClain, thank you for meeting with us! Where are you a pastor's wife, and how long have you been there?

Apostolic Temple in Pasadena, TX. We celebrated our 10th pastoral anniversary in August of 2019.

Growing up, what did you imagine yourself doing with your life? Would you ever have imagined yourself being a pastor’s wife?

I always wanted to be a preacher’s wife. I also wanted to be a nurse. I feel the Lord has led me into both careers as a part of His plan for my life. I am very grateful.

What is your favorite Bible scripture?

I have so many favorite scriptures, so it’s hard to pick. I like to pick various verses for different times in my life. Right now, I would say it’s John 16:33 (KJV): “These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

What are some nuggets of wisdom you’d love to share with young Apostolic women?

Let your light shine! Don’t be ashamed of who you are. The world is looking for young ladies who aren’t ashamed of Him. You are BEAUTIFUL!

What one piece of advice would you pass on to a new pastor’s wife, especially one who is also working a secular job?

Learn boundaries. When you work AND are a pastor’s wife, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to do (and be) everything for everyone. First and foremost, you have to take care of YOU. If you are exhausted physically, mentally, and spiritually, you cannot be the help that God called you to be.

Are there any successes, struggles, or defeats you’ve faced as a pastor’s wife that you feel our readers could learn from?

Yes, yes, and yes. The successes are what we all like to focus on: the kids who look to you and receive your wisdom, apply it, and grow up to love God and be successful. The struggles and defeats are what we tend to minimize, but people need to know that we are humans, too. We hurt. We cry. We (at least I) yell when things aren’t fair. Sometimes God doesn’t make sense. That is when we know we have to keep on keeping on, and trust Him in the hardest times. The biggest pointer I have in those times is to be real. It’s okay when they see you cry. Never try to be something you’re not. People can tell the difference.

Do you ever get tired or burned out doing ministry? If so, how do you handle that?

See two questions ago! ;) Take care of yourself. An empty vessel isn’t of benefit to anyone. Refill your vessel daily with “me” time. Take a walk. Spend time outside. Unplug from social media. Take a hot bath. This is not discounting your walk with God at all, but it’s very necessary when one is in ministry.

Are there any books (besides the Bible!) that you’d recommend that you’ve found helpful as a pastor’s wife or in your walk with God?

I love books by Michael and Debi Pearl. They have great books for couples and for young parents raising children. I use them a lot when counseling.

What do you find most rewarding about being a pastor’s wife?

I feel the most rewarding thing about being a pastor’s wife is being able to help people. Sometimes it’s that word for someone that the Lord lays upon your heart in the middle of the night. Sometimes it’s the ability to empathize with others in their times of crisis. It’s like I have over 200 children to love and care for!

What do you find the most challenging about being a pastor's wife?

I am an introvert by nature. The challenge for introverts is that we normally feel awkward in large crowds and/or in front of groups of people. It’s not that we cannot successfully speak or minister to others in these crowds. It just exhausts us. Thus, the importance of recharging.

In addition to being a pastor’s wife, you are also a holistic nurse practitioner. How do you manage owning a business, being a pastor’s wife, and having time for your family?

Lots of naps! LOL ... Seriously, the key is keeping my priorities straight (God, family, business), daily walks with God, and again ... recharging my own physical battery every single day.

During this scary season we are all in, how can we all stay healthy (in body and spirit)?

I recently wrote an article for the Together magazine. I gave some health tips in this article. “By learning to incorporate self-care into your daily routine -- having 20 minutes of fun daily, exercising more, practicing gratitude, and making healthier food choices, you can thereby reduce your risk of debilitating disease, and feel much better about yourself!” I feel that in this scary season, it’s important that we incorporate these things into our lives.

In what ways do you find that your practice and your role as a pastor’s wife intertwine?

People have jokingly called my husband and me the “Dynamic Duo” because they say he deals with the spiritual man, and I deal with the physical man. If he’s counseling someone and they’re battling things spiritually, and he notices they are not in good health, he sends them my direction. We both feel that the body must be fully well (spiritually, mentally, and physically) in order to have complete health.