Tish Barnhardt’s So You Want to Be A First Lady? is a story about a darker side of the modern American church and the burden of women who still find the spiritual strength to keep going.
For a growing number of authors, Tish Barnhardt has become a familiar and friendly face who is always happy to support her fellow storytellers. And naturally, they are familiar with the compelling real-life experiences that inspired her own book, which shares a wary, inside look into the lives of the most influential women in American churches today.
So You Want to Be A First Lady?
For those active in American church life, the term First Lady has become a very popular title for the head pastor’s wife. And through at least the last couple of decades, many of the most influential women in these congregations have begun to own the title while living up to various high standards in support of their husbands (as well as setting examples in their communities).
But as with any position of power, those bearing the yoke of a first lady have much to contend with. Covetous eyes are everywhere in the pews. The enemy has set schemes in place that will test everything from the first lady’s marriage to the integrity of the church itself.
Tish’s book synthesizes and fictionalizes a number of real-life events happening in U.S. churches today. And in many ways, it is also a great work of Christian fiction for women overcoming marriage struggles. It is her hope that sharing these stories will shed some light on the burdens of first ladies, as well as provide cautionary lessons for any woman married into a place of great prestige, responsibility, and influence.
In fact, readers can get the gist from just some of these snippets.
Excerpts:
First Lady says, “Awesome service today, babe. You sure did preach.”
“Thanks, hun,” he says.
First Lady proceeds to tell him about how Sister Mindy rolled her eyes at her while leading praise and worship and asked if he knew what was wrong with her.
“No, nothing’s wrong with her,” Pastor Smith says.
“So, why do you think she would roll her eyes at me? I haven’t done anything to her,” First Lady says.
“I don’t know, hun. Just don’t worry about it,” Pastor Smith says.
***
One Sunday, she decides to have a fellowship dinner at her house and invites them to come. First Lady tells Pastor Smith she did not want to go to the dinner at her house with the way Sister Camille
has been treating her.
However, Pastor Smith insists that they are going despite how First Lady felt about it. She cries the whole way there as her emotions are all over the place. She cannot believe that her husband still wants to go and be around a woman who is treating his wife indifferently and would not say anything to protect her or comfort her.
***
Then there is Sister Dena, who always seems to corner him every Sunday, flaunting around with her tight gear on showing all her twin girls through her blouses. When First Lady addresses clothing during one of the women’s meetings, it’s said that she is just jealous. First Lady isn’t jealous but does feel that, as a woman, you should dress appropriately and not provocatively.
Seeing Behind the Curtains of God’s House
It is not everyday readers can get a true-to-life look into the more discomforting truths about those in church leadership. For many, such retellings can be quite scandalous. Some would even argue that they are damaging to the testimony of Christians everywhere.
However, truth is vital, and all those who are deeply invested into matters of spirituality will have a lot of insight into the experiences that Tish shares in her book. It is revelation upon revelation on the real struggles of first ladies in every congregation. Behind all the poise, praise and worship, there remains the shadow of sin and ugly personality politics that demand exposure. These are not merely scandals reported in secular news because of one culture war issue or another. This is Tish joining the voices of many other women of faith who believe that Jesus would’ve expected better from the people running the house of God.
Strength of Spirit Overcoming Scandal
The stories that Tish shares in her book are a major driver in her work today as a motivational speaker, as well as just being a compassionate listening ear to women who are suffering. For despite all the scandalous things she has seen and heard within the church, she remains a believer in God and credits Him for giving her the strength she needed.
And hopefully, other readers will find strength from her story should they ever experience the same.
You can check out So You Want to Be A First Lady? at all the major online booksellers, including Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
