Ministry… what comes to mind when you think of that word? Pastor, missionary, women’s ministry director, Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader… Are those the first things that pop in your head? Certainly those are ministry positions, but ministry to others is so much deeper than that.
We can be involved in ministry to our families even when we don’t leave our homes. In seasons where it can be difficult to be involved in external ministries in the local church or otherwise, I know I am blessed to know that my service to God inside my home matters for eternity!
In Sacred Parenting, Gary Thomas shares this familiar passage from Matthew (Jesus is speaking):
“‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me'” (Matthew 25:35-39).
Who is more weak, hungry, or naked than a baby? Who gets sick more often than a toddler? Who needs our unconditional love and welcoming heart more than a child?
Thomas shares that before our baby is our baby, it is God’s baby. He has divinely chosen us to be that child’s parents, and has called us to raise that baby for the glory of God.
When we show love to our children and meet their practical needs, we are showing love to Christ.
What a blessing to be a part of this beautiful ministry!
This post contains an affiliate link to a book I own and enjoy.
So, so true. I try to always keep my ministry in the home first. I serve elsewhere, but not if it takes away and damages my ministry with my husband and kids. great thoughts!!!
Thanks, Liz! You’re doing a great job as a mom. 😉
Love this! I agree that it is really important to remember that mothering and homemaking is a ministry and should come before outside things. Sometimes it is so hard for me to say no to things outside the home just because I need to catch up on house work or my kids need me more than usual for whatever reason, but I have to remember that it might only seem weird to the world-not to God. Have you ever read the book Creative Counterpart, by Linda Dillow? She goes over how to organize and manage your time and priorities in depth and that really helped me to set my priorities in the right place (God, husband, children, home, and on and on…) and remember that it is OK to say no to things when I haven’t had time to do what needs to be done in my home first!
I haven’t read that book, Natalie. But I always love encouragement to keep my priorities in order!