There is a pull to focus our attention outside of our homes. Whether it is the lure of outside employment or the cry of a ministry that needs assistance, the pull is strong. We know that Jesus told us to, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation," but when our children are young, does our world, perhaps, begin at home?
We would do well to remember that when Paul implored the older women to, "...urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God," he was showing us that our husbands and children and homes were meant to be our first ministry-- before teaching Sunday school, before volunteering to run the clothing drive, before blogging (ouch!), even before bringing a new mom a meal or calling a shut-in. These are all commendable, upstanding, wonderful ministries, and if the season is right, we shouldn't hesitate, but if either of our good ministries causes us to neglect our primary role as wife and mother, we are missing the boat.
We would do well to remember that when Paul implored the older women to, "...urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God," he was showing us that our husbands and children and homes were meant to be our first ministry-- before teaching Sunday school, before volunteering to run the clothing drive, before blogging (ouch!), even before bringing a new mom a meal or calling a shut-in. These are all commendable, upstanding, wonderful ministries, and if the season is right, we shouldn't hesitate, but if either of our good ministries causes us to neglect our primary role as wife and mother, we are missing the boat.
It has been argued that if our first love is the Lord, then doing His work is always best, even at the risk of jeopardizing our time at home. The Bible warns,"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" We could say the same in reference to our families...
"For what will it profit us to win the souls of the world and lose the souls of our children?"
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Kristin, during the frst year we homeschooled, I really struggled with finding time for "ministry"... there were no extra hours to volunteer at the Pregnancy Center, and Sunday School lesson plans overwhelmed me after a whole week of planning lessons for every subject. I felt like a failure, and was even angry about it. And then I heard a Mom with many children speak, and she said that "our family is our ministry." If the Lord gave me those babies and called us to homeschooling, then that's where I needed to minister! What a great relief that was!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this blog. I will say that I like your blog as a mom from six.
ReplyDeleteRoos.
Honey child, you have a precious blog here of your wonderful, fleeting days as a young wife and mother. I commend you for your honorable, edifying sentiments, and I absolutely love the photos you've shared of the fruit of your marriage.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless you! Your mother left your link over at The Pennington Point. I just thought I'd come to check it out! All the way from the Philippines.
Have a wonderful week,
Kelley of http://www.kelleyhighway.blogspot.com/
Wife of 30 years
Mother of daughters: 27 years and 24 years (who married six months ago)
Great post.
ReplyDeleteThat is an excellent family picture!!
Wow, has this been on my mind lately! With a newborn in August and this being our first semester of homeschooling, I had to give up a couple of ministries that I am passionate about. While I would love to get involved again, one is a major time commitment, and I feel I'm repeatedly hearing the Spirit say to stay focused on this call to educate my children at home. Difficult? yes. Important? absolutely!
ReplyDeleteLast Sunday, I literally screamed at my children to get their shoes on because we were running late and I had to teach Sunday school. :( I told my Board of Ed that when my term is up in February, I will be taking a few years off from teaching. Your wise words just reiterated that this is the right decision for me. I can teach my children more about God's love by modeling it.
ReplyDeleteKatie @ On the Banks of Squaw Creek