As a young bride, Lauren Green McAfee imagined her life would be lived out as a pastor’s wife, with children around her—both biological and through adoption. However, nine years into marriage, life has not fulfilled those expectations. I sat down with Lauren and we talked candidly about life, disappointments, and leaving a legacy.
Lauren imagined an early career working in her family’s business, followed by days at home raising kids. She attended the University of Oklahoma and has worked in the family business since, while continuing her education with two master’s degrees. Her husband, Michael, began his career as a pastor, before God called him to a new field. Together, Lauren and Michael are now in the same PHD program pursuing doctorate degrees, something her 20-year-old-self wouldn’t have guessed in her wildest dreams! And the fact that she and Michael have been able to work and travel together—even living in New York City for a season—is a blessing she never saw coming.
In addition to academic and career successes, Lauren was able to be part of the Museum of the Bible in it’s beginning stages—a project she was very passionate about. Yet, amidst all of the excitement and fun, the ache of having a family remains in Lauren’s heart. She and Michael have been dealt the blow of an inconclusive infertility diagnosis, and even their attempts to adopt have thus far been met with closed doors. Tackling these major disappointments and successes at the same time has given Lauren a unique perspective on embracing the life you’ve been given, while holding onto the hope that your deepest dreams and desires might still be ahead.
It’s from this hope-filled perspective that Lauren connects the dots from her present-day struggle to the life Jesus lived, as described in Hebrews 12:1-3, “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” And it is also from this perspective that Lauren and her mom, Jackie Green, wrote a book entitled, “Only One Life: How a Woman’s Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy”.
Lauren and Jackie are the by-products of faithful women quietly living their lives, while powerfully impacting the next generation. As they read and researched women from history and modern day, they filled their book with examples of those using their “precious days on earth to make an impact that will last.” In keeping her gaze forward, Lauren has seen her present disappointments lose power, as she leans into what God puts before her each new day.
I hope you will listen to the entire inspiring interview over on iTunes. Search there for the Uniquely Beautiful Stories podcast or click below.
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Meet the Author!
Heather McAnear is a wife, mom, author and speaker with a passion for sharing God's truth to help women understand their uniquely beautiful design and how to use it for God's glory! In fact, Heather hosts the Uniquely Beautiful Stories podcast on iTunes in hopes do just that! She loves teaching young married couples with her husband, homeschooling their three children, traveling the world, enjoying good chocolate and long conversations in coffee shops. CRBC has been her church home for two decades and she is thrilled to be part of the Women's Ministry team, helping women connect with each other and grow in their walk with Jesus!