The thought of being a missionary is scary! Missionaries go overseas, right? They live in huts and cook over open fires outside, right? They hold Bible classes and preach daily in foreign countries. They have to rely on God every day for their basic needs!! --Don't they?
Not always.
Missionaries dedicate their lives... sometimes just for a season... to teaching others about God, telling their own life's story, and sharing their daily life with the people around them. They intentionally show specific people how to lead a life following Christ and listening to God.
Hmmm...
Wait!! If you are a Christian mommy... I think that makes YOU a missionary. You dedicate your life... at least the first 18 years or so of your child's life... to sharing your life's story and daily life with the ones around you. You intentionally show your children how to lead a life following Christ and listening to God.
Wow!!
Have you ever thought that way? I mean, do you think of yourself as a missionary? A teacher? A preacher? What if you did? How would life change?
When I began to see raising children as a ministry it made my own attitude change! I saw purpose and value in our daily activities. Whether we were doing chores or reading books, I could see the importance of each interaction. I became intentional about what books we read, songs we sung, games we played and even our down times playing games became important.
I also realized just how much the kids learned just from watching me. They saw my actions and reactions. They knew when what I did, did not line up with what I said. They heard what I said in frustration. They knew when I was not at tough as I acted. They knew that when I spoke of the "Joy of the Lord" that I actually had Joy in my heart because of my faith. They saw my faith... or lack thereof... every hour of every day.
When I talk to teens today, even teens raised in Christian homes, one thing they feel is missing in the Christians they know... honesty. Honesty about the ups and downs of life. Honesty about the struggles and fears... and joys.
Ouch!
If we saw what we do as mommies as a calling into a mission field, if we thought of ourselves as missionaries to our kids and those around us, would it change the way we parent? Would it help us walk more closely with God in a deeper and more honest relationship with Him and therefore help us lead our children into a deep and honest relationship with God.
It sure did that for me! Some might even say that being a mom scared the H___ out of me. And they would be right!
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