What's your ministry?


If you don't keep up with the blog "Girltalk" and you are a mother with children, I would highly encourage you to take an extra couple of minutes to check it out over the next week or so. They are addressing the issue of moms making the best use of their time. The following is an excerpt from two days ago and was a needed encouragement for my soul:


"Mothers are responsible to mold and shape lives; to raise children who, in the words of G.K. Chesterton, “require not so much to be taught anything as everything.”

That’s why, if there’s one concern I have for this generation of mothers, it is the potential for distraction.

Blogs, facebook, twitter and texting allow moms at home to stay connected with the outside world like never before; the Internet makes it possible for women to contribute skills and gifts to the church and the marketplace, while at home with their children. These are all tremendous blessings, and when used wisely, can bless and serve our families and glorify God.

But we must be watchful that these “other things” don’t distract us from our primary task of mothering. We must walk carefully through this season, with all its opportunities, and make the best use of our time with our children.

Truth is, we can’t effectively train our children on the side. We can’t discipline them here and there. We can’t teach when we’ve got a free moment. We can’t mother intermittently.

Inconsistent training is ineffective training.

If we are distracted by projects or pleasure, we may miss valuable teaching moments, opportunities to encourage, disobedience that requires discipline, or a chance to show affection. These moments, once lost, are gone forever.

So ladies, may I encourage you, as I do my own daughters, to give training and discipline your first and full attention. Walk carefully, and keep your eyes on the mothering road."


On my way down south I listened to a Q&A with Patricia MacArthur (John MacArthur's wife) and one of the things she shared was that our family needs to be our first priority. It is our number one ministry to take care of our family. So often we get so busy being involved in so many other people's lives, at the expense of our own family. People who we will, most likely, not even be around 5/10 years from now (due to moving, etc..) but our family will ALWAYS be around. How will they remember us using our time?

I believe with all my heart that we are called to be apart of the body of Christ. That we are called to build one another up, to exhort each other to love and good deeds and to disciple others. But all those things must start FIRST in our own home, and then, as God gives us opportunity and availability, outside of our home. So, I ask you the same question I am asking myself...How's my number one ministry going? :)

Comments

For His Glory said…
This stood out to me:

"Truth is, we can’t effectively train our children on the side. We can’t discipline them here and there. We can’t teach when we’ve got a free moment. We can’t mother intermittently."

It stood out because if our ministry to our family is first. everything else (Blogs, facebook, twitter and texting, etc.)
should be "here and there", or when we have a "free moment", or do things "intermittently"...I wonder how many more servants for God we might find if we omitted some of the needless, passing things in life and focused on the things that do last...hmmm...I think I'll ponder that question myself.
Anonymous said…
Since I am starting over in a sense with the girls (having a nineteen - almost twenty year old) I can look back and remember how easy it can be to let even important, good things creep in and take over your time. You get one shot at training your kids and you have to make hay while the sun is shining as they say in the country!
wow... Thank you for this. What a pleasure to read, because it is encouragement in what is true, and Biblical. Thanks!

(And thanks for the heads-up to check out Girl Talk. Which by the way, from Girl Talk, I have learned about another blog called Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

If you've never gone to this blog, I would highly recommend checking it out! I couldn't believe how many Christian writers have posts on there, on a variety of subjects pertaining to family, women, marriage, mothering, priorities, and so on. Very encouraging stuff!!!

Gosh, I don't even need to buy books for a while; I can just read read read from this particular blog for a long while to come!!) :)