Do you ever think or say things like…..
I want to impact lives.
I need to get more involved in the church, so I can do more good.
I feel like everyone else is doing more, and here I am, doing nothing.
I want to “get out there”.
If so, I get that. Maybe you’re a mom, too.
While you’re changing diapers, your friend is changing lives.
While you’re wiping boogers, another is wiping away tears.
While you’re feeding mouths, still another is feeding souls.
Everyone else seems to be hollering “all aboard” the salvation train, then racing off into the sunset, so to speak, and you? You barely make it to nap time without derailing.
I get that.
The derailing part is my every day. For real.
Dear mom with no ministry, You already have one.
It’s staring you in the face.
It’s that dull noise around you.
Maybe it’s sitting on top of you right now:
your child.
The day your oldest was born, you stepped into full time ministry. Your child is who you’ll impact the most for the rest of your life. The one who needs you most, wants you most, deserves you most.
Life changing ministry that involves “getting out there” is a glorious calling. But a selfish one, if it neglects the ones set in your life right now.
You see, changing lives is rarely in the “getting out there”. Rather its in the day to day. One step at a time. Maybe making it to nap time in one piece. Getting everyone dressed for the day; speaking and being the kindness your children thrive on.
Don’t fall for the trap of “I have no impact”.
The greatest calling you’ll ever have is touching the lives of those little ones tugging at you. Those tugs on your clothes should have the greatest tug on your soul.
Your “right here” and your “right now” is exactly where you’re supposed to be. Live in it.
[bctt tweet=”Dear Mom, your ‘right here’ & ‘right now’ is your greatest ministry. Live in it!”]
Be their mom,
their cheerleader,
their trusted confidant.
Your greatest calling.
Your everyday.
Your ministry.
Humbled to be featured at….
I love this! This IS our ministry… to our husbands and children… and if God brings other opportunities along, great…. but if not, we are still ministering. Thank you so much for shedding honorable light on the calling. BTW, I also love your photo… very striking. 🙂
Our first ministry is always our home. Good word!
Love it!!! So easy to lose sight of this!!! Thank-you for the reminder!!!!
What a wonderfully well said post! I could not agree more!
Yes, so easy to lose sight of this. Thanks for the reminder of what my ministry is! Blessings!
Amen! Such truth Kaylene. There is nothing greater, no higher calling or anything more impactful than raising a child. Life is short, time is precious and before you realize it they are grown in a blink. Keep spreading the encouragement. Along with mothering, I love this part of your ministry too. You are a blessing!
This is so true. It's so important for a child to know that they have loving parents who will show them how to live not just preach at them. Hope you have a fantastic day.
I'm hopping over here from the Managing Your Blessings link up! This is so ON POINT!! Thank you! My great friend, Melissa Mashburn did a workshop recently at the Better Together Mom conference titled, Your Family is Your First Ministry.<br />There are days that I'm like, "What's my ministry, Lord?" and He gently nudges and says, "You're looking at it."
Yes, Kela! So very true! Blessings to you and your littles!
I so needed this! I used to be so caught up in wanting to have a title at church and not see that my ministry was at home with my kids. It's so important to not miss what God has for us at home, as mothers, thanks so much for this! Visiting from the Homeschool link- up!<br />~ Heather
Kaylene, this was a wonderful post. Even older women can get so busy that they are not available for those younger and struggling with their calling. They just need some encouragement most often.
Judith, you're not old! Well seasoned and full of wisdom! I enjoy reading from you and have gleaned great tips from your writings. Thank you for the time you put into each post! Blessings!
Thank you for this. Today I was feeling so much like a failure, especially in homeschooling and getting through with the kids. Thus, a cycle of "I have no purpose" came about. I spotted you on Managing Your Blessings. Please continue to share!
Yes & Amen! Such a wise and much needed reminder! Thank you so much for sharing at Make A Difference Mondays : )
I totally agree! Loving my children is the most important impact I can have on the world – shaping the next generation.
Great post! It’s easy to forget how important parenting is. Especially when it doesn’t feel “earth changing” a lot of the time 🙂
You wrote exactly what has been laid on my heart. I have often thought "when they get bigger" or "if some one could watch them" I could help out more. My dear pastor said to me one day, "I know that you want to help out in ministry so much, but please remember you have a big ministry at home." It was then that my thoughts on my children began to change, and how I
Amen Kaylene,<br />Absolutely – this is your ministry at this time in your life. I breathed life, values and love into my children – and even being a Grandma I still do. Thanks for sharing at Sunday Stillness,<br />Blessings,<br />Janis
I know a couple of ladies who have discussed leaving home and kids behind as full-time students at a Bible school. As much as they wanted to serve God they didn't want to do it right now where he called had called them. Thanks for pointing out the flaw in the thinking
How very sad. All in the name of ministry….it gets messed up a lot. I've been guilty of not having proper priorities in tact, as well. Our life, whether good or bad, clear minded or haphazard, IS our ministry. I didn't write this to point out flaws in others as much as a reminder to myself. I could so easily get lost in my own little world, blocking out all the drama and chaos of
Great post! Really reminds me what my main ministry is!
Amen! Loved this.. " Dear Mom with no ministry.. you have one". I think the quote that is often my most repeated but easily forgotten by myself is, " My children are my mission field." <br />I needed the reminder about this, today, about blogging, and all the other beautiful truths. Thanks, Kaylene!<br />Blessings,<br />Dawn
Thanks for linking this up at somuchathome.blogspot.com! I love this post. A mother does have a ministry at home. Making our home a place of comfort and taking care of our husband and children is a full-time ministry. God bless.<br />Chris
I completely agree with you. Thank you for writing such truth, I feel this is an issue so many Christian moms struggle with because we hear that we need to be doing for others, and the guilt settles in… <br /><br />Thanks again<br /><br />Marissa<br />http://raysofgraceandjoy.blogspot.com
Yes, a lot of time its guilt that makes us feel like we aren't doing "enough". When really, shaping our kids IS "doing for others". Shaping the world one day at a time, one child at a time. Thank you for stopping by, Marissa.
Such a wonderful and encouraging blog – Praise the Lord in the dusting, in dinner and in diapers 🙂 Mother's we are amazing and don't forget it 🙂
Yes, we are! 🙂 ""Dusting, Dinner, and Diapers" sounds like a post! Maybe you wrote on that subject??? If so, please leave a link! I'd love to read it!
You are an amazing encourager, Kaylene! So grateful for you. Much love. xoxo
Thank you, Beth! The feeling is mutual!
AMEN! So good! I have been speaking this to myself and other moms for years! Such a great encouragement for those that feel like they're not doing enough. The time will come when you can do more, but my children will always be my biggest ministry :)<br />–Jaime
Beautiful words of encouragement!!
Good job, girl. YOU ARE AN ENCOURAGER. You have taken the gift He gave you and use it for His glory. I am richer for knowing you. Thank you for writing.
Good reminder that the Lord has places us where we are at just the right time, and that we just need to be faithful and obedient. Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded-pinned to the links board!<br /><br />Alison<br />Nancherrow
How wonderful of you, Alison! Thank you!!
STINKING RIGHT!!! Preach it, girl! I whispered amen about 47 times while I was reading this here in the Starbucks portion of Barnes and Noble. ALL of have a ministry, especially us mamas. Thanks for that very important reminder! And so appreciate you sharing over at #EverydayJesus. <br /><br />PS: After I FB stalked you, I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw you were originally from Mont Ida,
WHAT!!!! No way! How cool is that! That would be Welda/Iowa area. Oh my goodness! I want to start shouting out names to see if you know who I know, or I know who you know! Lol small world! eeek! This thrills me! 🙂 I'm off to fb stalk you!
Very true. When my kids got older we started volunteering at our church. I could still be with them and it taught them the meaning of helping others.<br />I will comment back http://www.oldefashionmom.com/<br />
Thank you Kaylene- this was lovely and encouraging to me today.
I think this is so true… Kids are God's blessing and a calling in life. Having children has always been my desire but God has different plans it turns out. Especially because we can't have children, it makes me think to better find something else good to do. If children won't fill our life, than something else will. That's my heart's desire. How will God fill the gap?
AMEN! So true and encouraging!
I clicked on your link because of the title. It wasn't what I expected, however, what amazingly honest words that I will be sharing with many in my circle. Thank you for this! I know some young mothers who will be encouraged and blessed by your words!
Thank you Kaylene once again for this beautiful post, a reminder that I need so much each day! Thank you for sharing this post at Family Fun Friday. I will be featuring it at this week's link up on my blog. Blessings!
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