There was a time that I felt worthless.
I was just a mom. I was just a wife. I was just a daughter. I was just a friend. Nothing extraordinary.
I just was.
Then God… Yes, He always butts in, doesn’t He? He reminded me that years of prayer, even years of hoping, will eventually show me that I am not just me. I am a Christian and that is always extraordinary.
I spent years in prayer asking the Lord to give me work to do. Being someone out there moving ground for the Kingdom was on the forefront of my thought life despite the competition of motherhood and wifely duties. I wanted to be more, do more, stand out more, and shake things up for God.
Instead, I stood stagnant. At least I thought I did. Boring mundane life followed me around like a lost puppy or clingy toddler. I sat inside a messy house while I peered out at those women harvesting for Jesus. When would it be my turn to see the world for Him and work like it was a matter of life and death?
Then one day a reality check came knocking at my door. A friend cried at her lost marriage and her children breaking apart in the process. She never shook ground nor rocked orphans. She never sailed seas or planned a Vacation Bible School.
That friend, she cuddled her crying babies, wiped lost tears, and soothed hurting hearts. My woes she heard as well and we wept together over what seemed lost to each of us. In this, she spoke truth that turned my heart inside out and called me towards a redemption from the sin of jealousy.
She told me that I reached the masses already. I spoke to a thousand nations. I rocked hundreds of orphans. I wiped a million tears. I raised fishers of men.
My little fishermen seem small in number but their reach expands wide. The lives I touch in my home will touch a thousand more. I have accomplished my calling and raised arrows as fiery darts for the Lord.
Oh, my heart soars knowing that my beautiful children, the ones who clung to my legs and wept into my shoulders, will spread their wings for the Lord and accomplish much for the Kingdom. My life has not been in vain.
Psalm 127:3-5 ESV
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
I am blessed beyond all measure. Not only am I blessed in motherhood and with a loving husband, but I am blessed because my Father in Heaven deeply cares about my heart. He knew my mission well before I grasped it and he knew I would do well.
Never doubt your calling, even if it seems simply routine. He has a goal and He has sent us on mission. It may not look foreign nor glamorous, but it’s for His glory alone. It’s all part of the plan.
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I believe there is NO greater calling! Yes it feels lowly and yet, isn’t that where God’s power shines through? This is a wonderful message Maryann, one for parents everywhere!
this is absolutely how I have felt for the past nearly 5 years. Having children definitely puts our own goals or dreams on hold for a while, and during those baby/toddler/preschool years, it’s hard to feel like taking care of our kids, cleaning the house, and doing laundry matters much. Thank you for the beautiful encouragement.
Your neighbor at #41 this week (not my best writing, but very raw)
miccah
I know my life is not in vain,
I know that it is not a fail,
for though to God, I am a pain,
I am His cautionary tale
that one should not with scissors run
(seemed good idea at the time),
and drifting cars, although great fun
is best not done through red-light line.
I figure that God made me thus
so others souls might learn from me
with less jail time and less fuss,
and so maintain some dignity.
and leave life without goodbye kiss
of “Hold my beer, dude, and watch THIS!”
This is great encouragement for us Moms. We always need to be reminded that we are raising them to be His first and every little moment counts.
love this so much! shared on twitter to encourage other moms too! Thank you for sharing on FMF!