Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. Titus 2:3-5
God has shown me something the last couple weeks, well months, as I wrapped up a pregnancy and gave birth. It’s been a much-needed “AHA!” moment that I pray sticks.
I have had to resign to the fact that I can’t do it all. I have had to say no to church events, ladies days, PTO dinners to volunteering in the community. I even sent my husband to parent/teacher conferences. Part of me feels derelict in my duties . The other part of me feels quite refreshed.
A couple of years ago a friend read a quote to me from a book that she was reading. The idea was, that during the season of your life when you are raising children, THEY are your ministry. At the time I thought yeah, that’s good for most people, but most people don’t have to do the things that I HAVE to do.
But as time went on, and my responsibilities increased, and so did the number of children, I realized that lady was right. I have a son in middle school who needs me to attentively listen about his day. I have a 3rd grade daughter who needs me help her navigate friendships and study spelling words. I have a 2nd grade daughter who needs lots of affection after a long day at school. I have a preschooler who needs me to read books, sing songs, and nap with her. I have a toddler… who well… needs a lot of me. And I have a new-born son who needs me to rock him, nurse him, change him, and snuggle him.
They all desperately need me to pray for them. I need to pray for their protection from harm and evil. I need to pray for them to grow healthy bodies, firm minds and tender spirits. I need to pray for the direction of their lives, their futures, and their goals. I need to pray that they find their unique gifts that God has placed within each of them to glorify him. I need to pray for them and with them too. They need to see me open my heart and pour it out before the throne of God.
I need to open the holy scriptures with them. I need show them God’s answers for their dilemmas. I need to fortify their hearts with divine truth because they will be assaulted with the lies of Satan over and over again. I need to be resolved to live the word to them as I teach it.
I need to do all these things and have fun doing it. I need to rejoice in the life the Lord has given us. I need to bring the joy of the Lord into our home. I need to focus my children on praising God through every we do.
I have been given a high calling, a divine calling, to be a mom. And I one day I will meet my Creator and give an account for the way I returned these children back to him. So when all my real responsibilities are adequately covered, I may have time to expand my ministry again. But for now… I think this is right where God wants me.
Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deut.6:4-9
