For clarification of my last post, because no guilt trips were intended...
When I started having kids and retired from outside work, I had visions of volunteering at various ministries, giving my time and resources to help others. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to do that with nursing and napping babies (for 7 1/2 years I was either pregnant and/or nursing).
Every time we had a Missionsfest at church or a sermon on getting involved in a ministry at the church, I felt this great pull to do 'something' followed by guilt because I just couldn't figure out how.
Finally, I learned that I was doing 'something'. I am in the ministry of raising warriors for God's kingdom. My home is my primary ministry. There is a time for everything under heaven, and when I had newborns and toddlers to be ministered to, outside ministry had to wait.
I learned that making meals for sick friends or new moms was something I could do at home - with the kids.
Working in children's Sunday school classes when I was already at church was a way to minister without taking away from my primary ministry.
Saving change all year to give to a ministry like Wycliffe is something that can be done at home -with the kids. They helped decorate the empty oatmeal box, cut a hole in the lid, and sorted and counted up the change at the end.
They can also shop with me and pack up items for hygiene kits, Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes or pick out Gifts of Hope.
Now that the children are older I'm starting to explore outside ministries - with the kids. For example, they've memorized the Christmas story to recite and songs to sing at nursing homes this December.
I want them to experience giving in all forms. I'd love to hear what you're doing at home - with the kids - to love on others.
My point is, do not feel guilty for not doing more outside your home. This may not be the season for you. And don't compare yourself with what you see others doing. We're all gifted differently. But ask God to show you ways, in your everyday living, that you can minister to and love those you come in contact with - with the kids.
Happy Giving!
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2 comments:
Our family loves to put together shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child each year. Each of our children makes a shoebox for a child in the same age range and gender.
This year, as a family, we decided to have less gifts at home and give enough money to the Water School for a family of 6 to have clean water (it only takes about $50 to give a family clean water for the rest of their lives!).
Anytime one of our kids comes home with a prayer request and a request for money for a certain group, as a family we discuss how to give.
Another thing we do, though, is ministry without our kids. (Not that everyone should, but because we are called to). My hubby works with the sr high youth group one night per week, and I lead the women's ministry. When we need to go to our respective ministry activities, we remind our children that we are doing the work God has called us to do in our Church, and that we are creating a heritage for them, should they choose to follow it. I love it when my little girls ask me how long they need to wait until they can be a part of woemn's ministry! :)
BTW, I totally affirm your view of family as your primary ministry. There have been a number of times where God has called me to task, reminding me that I must have my family in order if I want to do anything else for His Kingdom (Titsu 2, 1 Timothy 3).
thanks for the post Jenny, I used to feel "bad" I wasn't going somewhere with a passport to tell someone about Jesus - jealous of Thad's trip to China! Yet the whole while raising a warrior for Him is "enough"!!
When we lived in Jax Bch we'd make peanut butter sandwiches and hand them out to the homeless peple at the pier. Jake loved it and would run ahead of us just handing anyone sandwiches. He didn't want anyone to be hungry.
And he loved making mother's day cards for the homeless women here in Orlando, and he'll be helping pick Christmas gifts for the family we "adopted" from Haiti.
I love that your children are going to the nursing home sharing the first Christmas!
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