The Ministry of a Mom

Over the past couple of weeks, I've had the privilege of staying with a friend of mine who is a single-mom. I think that it's pretty amazing how Jesus puts us in "out of the box" situations. Some dear friends of mine had scheduled to host a ballet dancer for 6 weeks in their home this summer. Due to difficulties of their own in purchasing a home, this caused them to have to back out of being able to supply a place of respite for their friend. Therefore, they contacted friends and I volunteered my apartment (since I thought I'd be in South Africa). But the Lord had other plans...

I ended up staying in Nashville and found myself "homeless." But not really. I ended up in my friend's house--and though it started out as a moment of "God, what are you doing," it soon became my missions field. Loving on 2 kiddos and my friend--who could use the extra hands started to change my heart. I began to see with the eyes of Jesus the beauty in the mundane. The beauty in changing diapers and reading books until you're blue in the face. It all matters. Because you're loving and pouring out love right where you are.

I have been delightfully surprised, humbled, and honored to be able to share in loving these precious kiddos. I head back to my home on Saturday evening and I must say that I am a bit sad. I've enjoyed having children around, but I believe it's all for a greater purpose through it all.

Oh--the beauty in the ministry of a mom!

Loving Well

I want to love.

Teach me to love.

How can I do this?

The truth is, I can't do this on my own, but Jesus must pour out of me. I must keep receiving from him, so that I can give more of my life away. I have to learn from him how to love. I have to practice it too--not just read about it or see others participate. And our heavenly Father is such a wonderful teacher!!! It comes from a simple act of kindness--a smile, a cup of water, serving others, etc. It comes in the form of physical touch--through a hug or a kiss. Love is revealed through spending time with another--especially when it doesn't suit your schedule. Love is revealed through prayer. It keeps being revealed to those whose eyes and ears and hearts are open to recognizing it.

So many times, I miss out on the incredible amount of love around me because I try looking inward instead of outward. I get so consumed with the affairs of my own life, that I can forget the goodness of the Lord. When my gaze is fixed to him, he then opens my eyes to those around me--to see from his perspective. And it's beautiful what he reveals--HIMSELF! He reveals LOVE!

Recently, the Lord has been humbling me again and again to reveal himself to me. He's been teaching me what love looks like. It's often messy, uncomfortable, inconvenient, and costly. But the reward is worth it! The reward is so very worth it!! The reward has been deeper intimacy with the One whom my heart loves most.

So the prayer of my heart continues to cry out: Teach me to love, Papa! Let me be a woman who loves well. Let me finish well because I've loved well. Let people see you when they look at my life. Let them see that I longed for you and you alone. Let others hunger and thirst for you--you alone! Let others live from the place of the heart. May they encounter your Holy Spirit and the awesomeness of your unfailing love! May we trust you, Papa! May we truly believe you in every circumstance of our lives! Keep our eyes fixed on you! Let us be worshippers of you alone!!! Let our lives be a reflection of your goodness.