Ministry in the Midst of Motherhood

Today, I invite you to pop on over to the Faith Chicks blog to see my post about Untamed Words. While you're there, be sure to check out the great informal thoughts from a group of warm, wonderful, witty authors.

http://marilynngriffith.typepad.com/faithchick/

Tomorrow, I'll be speaking to a Christian Mom's Fellowship on the topic, "Not so Desperate Housewives: Finding Ministry in the Midst of Motherhood." Preparing the talk has been a great reminder for me of Galatians 1:10. We serve not to win the approval of man, but of God.

Calvin Miller wrote that "We are trustees of our glorious individuality." (in his book, INTO THE DEPTHS OF GOD). I love both the challenge and the bliss of those words.

Frederick Buechner said, "Vocation is where your deep gladness meets the world's deepest need."

One of my favorite Bible verses is John 15:16, which promises that our lives and service can bear fruit...fruit that will last. My brain can't wrap around the concept of eternity, yet that is the "long view" that God takes. And He invites us to be part of that work. Because of Him, the little ways that we serve can have eternal fruit.

Even in the midst of Mommy Exhaustion (a very specific form of the "Tyranny of the Urgent") God invites us to join Him in finding ways to minister to the world with the gifts He's given us.

In my debut novel, THE SECRET LIFE OF BECKY MILLER, Becky wants to do Something Big for God, but misses the point that her small choices can make a difference in God's kingdom. Ministry isn't about running from service to spouse and children, or running in circles, or running ourselves ragged...but about being open to opportunities during all seasons of our life.

Lord, open our eyes to specific needs you call us to meet today - both inside and outside the home.