My Ministry

Let me tell you about a “revelation” moment in my life last summer. As Christian moms we all KNOW that our husbands and our kids are our number one priority and ministry. Yes, in our heads we would all say it’s true. What does that really mean though? I was having a hard time coming to grips with it in my own life at that time as a new mommy. We are involved in this great camp ministry, and those of you who know me know that my heart is in Christian camping! Before I was married I was as involved in camp as I possibly could be, and it was a lot. However, this past summer at camp as a wife AND mommy, I was not able to do even half of what I really wanted to do. Colossal struggle in my heart. I wanted to be involved with camp, but I hadn’t realized that being the support my husband needs and caring for our son really were my involvement. I thought about how I should be helping encourage the staff, or counsel teens, or clean up more or, or, or. But one day in August after camp I was driving home and it just struck me that there is NO greater ministry for my life than to invest it in my hubby and kids. I don’t know why it suddenly “clicked,” but it did. Almost as if out of the blue God was speaking to my heart and letting me know that my ministry was no less than it had been when I could be “involved” at camp. If anything it was more so. That was a special drive for me, I even remember the stretch of road where the light bulb came on. Recently I was reading in this book and there were a couple paragraphs that kind of summed up what I was thinking that day, and I wanted to share it with you. The book is “Don’t Make Me Count to Three!” a mom’s look at heart-oriented discipline, by Ginger Plowman. Here’s what she says; “Yes, my greatest accomplishment today was nurturing the two precious children that God has entrusted to my care. Now let’s talk about my greatest challenge today…and every day. It is raising these two precious children in the ways of the Lord. God does have an important job for me, and it does require much skill. It is my calling, my priority, my struggle, and my goal. I will rise to the occasion and accept the task at hand. I will love, nurture, and train my children the way that God has called me to do. Moms, we need to be reminded of the awesome responsibility that God has given us. when we respond to the high calling of motherhood with passion, the rewards are far greater than any we could ever gain outside of that calling. The joys of motherhood are rare and beautiful treasures that can be easily missed if we don’t seize the opportunity to grab them.” This is a good book! Let me encourage you to get it and read it often. It’s not long or expensive. I know that I frequently need reminders to keep my hear on track, and I’m sure I’m not alone. 🙂 We can’t afford to miss this truth. Unfortunately we probably all know people who have sacrificed the hearts of their children on the altar of “ministry.” Is it worth it? NO! God expects our ministry to be our family first. I think if Christians would practice this that we’d actually see much more fruit in our perspective ministries. Think about it. What greater way to leave a Christian legacy than in bringing up your kids in righteousness?

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