Something has been on my heart for awhile now and I just feel the need to put it in to words. This is not my common style of post but it is whats on my heart.
Ever since I became a mom two years ago my mission, my goals, my heart has been changed forever. You see, I used to lead Junior High at my church for four years while in college. I have always had a heart for people in general, and serving others is a passion of mine. It has looked different in terms of how I serve over the years, but I always try to do it in some sort of fashion.
Sometimes over the past two years I have gotten down on myself for not physically serving at our church. For not leading a small group, for not mentoring younger girls, for not taking on any type of typical serving role. I know that I will not always be able to do those typical roles, but sometimes it makes me feel guilty that I am not. Until lately…
Motherhood is both the most beautiful and most challenging gig there is. It is a 24/7, 365 days a year, non-stop ‘job’. It is draining and yet fulfilling. It is frustrating and yet peaceful. For me at least, I have my ugly moments, moments where I am not proud of the mom I just acted like. Scratch that, the person I just acted like! But then, by the grace of God, I feel like I see a glimpse in to the person Braylen is becoming, or imagine the person Winston will become, and I see good. I see a sweet, caring, compassionate, silly, wild, and opinionated young boy. I see him taking something I told him days prior and applying it today. I see him ask for prayers at night, and excitedly say ‘May-men’ {amen} at the end of them. I see him love people fiercely, and hopefully be developing a love for God that is even more so.
Motherhood is the most important ministry I have ever, and will ever do. Yes, its not a serving position at a church. And as of right now, the mini-people I am serving aren’t impacting the Kingdom {yet!!}. But it is important. It is frighteningly important!
I pray everyday, especially lately as we have become a family of four, that Jeremy and I be the best examples to our boys. That they can see God and His love through us. Through us being patient with them. Through us loving them no matter what. Through us praying with them, and talking about Jesus with them. It is the most important job in the world to raise your kids, one that I take so seriously…after all- it is my ministry.
Very beautifully written and well said. I couldn’t agree with you more.
Thanks Athena!
Amen!
🙂
I can totally relate to this. For the many years, I felt like I wasn’t trying hard enough to serve others, outside of my family. But God consistently kept telling me, “Your most important role right now is ‘mom.'” I would hear Him, then I would slowly begin to forget and then He would remind me again (and again, and again.). My kiddos are now 9 and 6, so parenting is becoming less “hands-on” and I’m able to add in more responsibility in the realm of serving. But being a Mom is a serving role. The epitome of serving the kingdom! 🙂
So happy to hear that Heather!! Love that ‘the epitome of serving the kingdom’!
Amen!
🙂
So well said!
Though my ‘baby’ graduated from high school this past year, I’m so glad I took a step back from volunteering for stretches of time to be ‘ in the moment ‘ to enjoy my ‘mom’ time and focus on the kids. You’ve probably heard it a million times, but they grow up so fast..the time for us to influence and enjoy is too short.