THE HEARTY CONVERSATION: Episode 3

Life as a Pastor's child with Uchechukwu Miracle

Hello people of my Laive 💓 Welcome to another episode of The Hearty Conversation. I'm your Fayvoritegirl, Fayvourebirth. To our listeners/readers all around the world, You're Welcome. I'm so glad to have you join in for this candid conversation. Please if you're new here, consider subscribing for more inspiring stories and insightful discussions. For returning listeners and readers, you're welcome back and thank you for being here.

Today we're exploring a unique viewpoint on life—what it's like to grow up as a pastor's child. From the delights of being part of a close-knit community to the challenges of living under a microscope, we'll talk about the ups and downs of this special experience.

I've got someone here today who will share her personal journey as a pastor's child. Before we get started, let me tell you a bit about our guest.

Now, please join me in welcoming our special guest, Uchechukwu Miracle, who's here to share her experience as a pastor's child and some valuable lessons learned along the way.

Hi Mama, You're welcome to THE HEARTY CONVERSATION. Thank you for choosing to grace us with your presence.

Today we will be discussing "LIFE AS A PASTOR CHILD."

CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT OF YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A PASTOR'S CHILD AND HOW IT HAS SHAPED YOU?

ANS: Being a pastor's child is one of the hardest things, if you ask me. But I'm grateful that I am one. The experience I got affected me both negatively and positively, but I chose to lay back on the positive ones. 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES YOU'VE FACED AS A PASTOR'S CHILD?

ANS: I think the greatest challenge was the fact that everybody will always want to tell you what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and why you must do it. People just have certain expectations of me in their head and then they expect me to live it out. It's really hard trying to live in people's expectations because, as a child, I didn't get to know God as I should have; I was more focused on being the "good pastor's daughter" than being a child of God.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE PRESSURE OF BEING A PK?

Ans: Back then I would always get angry, but now I've come to understand that people will always look at us as "Pastor's daughter," and that's something I can't change. So instead of having to focus on what they think or how they see me, I would rather focus on Christ and allow Him to do His work in my life.

HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE YOU'RE UNDER A MICROSCOPE OR THAT YOUR ACTIONS ARE SCRUTINIZED MORE CLOSELY BECAUSE OF YOUR PARENT'S ROLE? Can you give a scenario?

ANS: Oh yes! I've always felt that way. I remember one time on a Wednesday, to be precise, we were having our evening Bible study, and for some reason I can't remember, I came late, and then this group of elderly women gave me this whole "side eye look," and immediately after the service, one called me and was like, "You know you're the pastor's daughter; you're not supposed to be coming late. People are looking up to you," and out of annoyance, I just told her, "Tell them to look up to God." As a pastor's daughter, it's always like you can't breathe without people complaining about how you are breathing or eating or singing or talking; they just always have something to say, and it's draining.

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT PASTORS' CHILDREN? (One told me, I don't know you people face sick. Oh, I'm like, No, ma, we came from the sky).

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THOSE WHO ASSUME YOU'RE "HOLIER-THAN-THOU" OR "MUMMY JESUS" BECAUSE YOU TALK ABOUT JESUS ALOT?

ANS: This question is important. I remember one time I saw a comment under a post where people were bashing a particular lady because she said "Premarital sex is a sin." people were calling her holier than thou, and I was like, Do people even read their Bible today?" or do they now answer this Christianity by mouth? Just because this generation has normalized a lot of things doesn't make it right. If the Bible says it's a sin, then our opinion doesn't count. And if a believer speaks the truth, they begin to call them "mummy Jesus." We should be glad that people can see the reflection of Christ in us. 

So speaking about being called a 'Church girl', last week someone asked me a question, though I gave me 2 cents on my social media platform, and I want to hear your opinion, so this person asked, and I quote, "I have a quick question for you, and I'd appreciate a genuine answer. IF YOU WEREN'T A LEVITE, WOULD YOU STILL BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN SPIRITUAL PURSUITS, OR DO YOU SEE IT AS A RESPONSIBILITY?”

HOW HAS YOUR UPBRINGING INFLUENCED YOUR FAITH OR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY?

ANS: Hmm. Growing up as a pastor's child is hard, but being a pastor is even harder. I was the only child of my parents for 8 years, and I can tell you that I don't usually see my dad as much as I would love to. Because he was always traveling for ministry. It's the Lord's work, and I can't stop him. I think as a pastor, being able to balance family and church isn't always easy, and in the long run, it affects your family too. I always felt like my parents just assumed that I should know certain things instead of actually teaching them to me. I thank God for church though. It helped my spiritual journey. That's why I'm big on fellowship with brethren.

DO YOU THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT ALL PASTOR'S CHILDREN ARE NOTORIOUS OR REBELLIOUS?

ANS: I hear this a lot; usually I would be angry, but now I just laugh. The earlier people realize that pastors and their children are humans, the better it will be. Of course there are pastor's children who are rebellious, but we can't also deny the fact that there are pastor's children serving diligently in the vineyard of God. So why can't they focus on them? I honestly think people like bad news, and they always want to focus on the negativity rather than the positivity.

DO YOU THINK IT'S FAIR TO BE A PASTOR'S KID AND ALSO BECOME A PASTOR'S WIFE AFTER ALL THE STRUGGLES YOU'VE EXPERIENCED AS A CHILD?

ANS: I don't believe that as a pastor's child, you must also become a pastor. Honestly, I believe God has different plans for us. What if my calling is not to be at the altar but to be in the streets spreading the gospel? We are all still doing the Lord's work, but we must do it how God wants us to do it, not because "our parents" did it in a certain way. 

DO YOU HAVE ANY SCENARIO WHERE YOU'VE USED THIS STATEMENT "NO BE ME, GOD CALL, NA MY PAPA"? This is often used when we want to do something contradictory. Can you share any of those moments with us?

ANS: Growing up, I used this a lot. When the church is having program and I don't feel like going or when were supposed to fast and I don't fast. Suddenly everybody will want to give me advice on how other children are looking at my lifestyle. I will just tell them no, be me, God call me.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER PASTOR'S CHILDREN WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR IDENTITY OR ROLE?

ANS: Seek God! Pray, Study your Bible, Worship, Hunger to know Him, hunger for intimacy with Him. Do not give the enemy a chance in your life. Cut away from friends that are not going in the same direction as you, don't allow peer pressure make you have bad company and you begin to do things you're not supposed to do. Serve God o. Outside Jesus there's no life.

HOW HAS BEING A P.K. SHAPED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON FAITH, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY?

ANS: As a pastor's child, your view of life will always be different. You'll learn that you have more family members than you know. You'll also understand the importance of building and working with a Christian community. The love, the joy, the laughter, the prayers that would be shared will always give you hope and strengthen your faith.

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS OR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR OUR LISTENERS/ READERS?

ANS: As a pastor's child, if you want to seek God, Don't go to Him as a "Pastor's daughter." God to Him as one who is broken and needs it to be filled. He'll fill you, direct you, and help you navigate through life.

Honestly, our guest has said a lot and I'd love to add this, you see as pastor's children, God called the Father or Mother, We just found ourselves inside. There is no manual, we are learning on the job, It is like the first season of any reality show, they was no prior show. Nothing to expect or nothing to stand upon. You just live in a reality show with no clue what to do or what not to do. Nobody expected a perfect show, that's how our lives are. We are just existing, learning how to live. And truthfully, we just want to live like other people, we have dreams and aspirations, we also want to live life to the fullest . But many people do not make it easy because they have an imagery of who a pastor's child should be never faulting, blameless, perfect, walking around wearing the banner of Jesus (like sew the church logo and an inscription of Jesus everywhere), speaking in tongues every five minutes and also sleeping on the church altar everyday, And maybe you people should be looking up to God, so you don't get disappointed because I don't know why you should be looking up to me.

You won't understand if you are not in our position. Like our guest said it's difficult sometimes but then God will keep helping us. 

That's all for today's episode on life as a pastor's child. Remember, this life we're in comes with its unique challenges and blessings.

Thank you so much, Miracle, for sharing your honest and inspiring story with us. It's an honor having you here. God bless you.

I hope this episode has encouraged and blessed you. Please subscribe, leave a comment, and share your thoughts - what stood out for you, and your honest opinion about this topic. I can't wait to read from you!

Thanks again for tuning in to The Hearty Conversation. Until next time, stay blessed, keep listening, and keep reading. God bless you!"

Love,

Fayvourebirth 💖