But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. –Acts 1:8 (NIV)
We had seen each other numerous times at baseball games. Her son played on the same team as my (Ruth) son. We talked often, usually about the game. But occasionally, it would turn more personal. Our kids had caused our lives to intersect where they likely would not have, without kids.
And then it hit me: there is ministry and mission all around me as a mom. I am not trapped in motherhood. I don’t have to wait until my kids are grown to serve and live on mission. Because of this season of motherhood, God has put a new mission field in front of me.
When kids come, serving and being involved in church can feel impossible. I’ve seen a lot of moms begin to view their family as their mission. And it certainly is. But we shouldn’t stop there either! God has placed other moms, with kids, all around. There are opportunities to make an impact for Christ in countless ways as a mom, not when I am done being a mom.
Ministry doesn’t have to be one more thing we add to an already busy schedule. What if we transformed the way we saw the places God already has us? What if we began to see the people in our life because of motherhood differently?
Just recently we had a neighbor boy stop over just before dinner. We invited him to stay and eat with us. Knowing his background and family situation, we knew just the experience of eating together was probably foreign to him. And so as a family, we were doing ministry together. Mission was happening at our dinner table.
Maybe it’s at the park, or a conversation at a soccer game. Perhaps it is a trip to the zoo, or another family at the store. This season of motherhood is full of new potential. God wants to use you in the places where you already are. There are people in your life because you are a family that can be influenced for Christ.
Motherhood is certainly ministry to your family, but it is also a means to ministry as a family!
- How have you seen motherhood open doors for spiritual conversations?
- Who are a few people that God has put on your heart to reach out to?
- Would you describe your attitude toward motherhood as ministry to your family or ministry as a family?
Father, give me eyes to see the people you have placed in my life because of motherhood. Give me opportunities to share Your love and truth with them. Transform the way I see the people and places right in front of me. Give me courage to live on mission as a mom. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Blessings,
Ruth Schwenk
All the time God is good. God is good all the time. Just this late morning my children call me, surprising me with a call and all three of them involved. My first thought was how weird, that never happens. One of them tells me that he’s been praying and that he wants to get baptised. This one was my doubting Thomas. And he began to ask me questions about the word and that was when God stepped in. In the past I never really knew how to minister to my kids in a way they could understand. They are between the ages 11-15 so preaching the word to them really truly isn’t my forte. I’ve tried before my own way and it was to no avail. This time was different. The discussion timing was right and so was the setting. But most importantly the words were just right. By the time we were finished I could hear a change in their voices. I knew that they now believed more than ever before and I believe that their faith stregthened. This is how I know God was in the middle of it all. They are seeking God. I’ve been waiting for this special moment to come. Motherhood IS my ministry. Thank you God, in the name of Jesus… Amen!!!