What is Mom's Mission Field?

Recently, I was sent an article about how motherhood is a mission field. In it, the author purported that home, where we raise our kids, is 'the headwaters of missions.' And while I had thought about my position in the family as a ministry, I'd kind of compartmentalized it to bedtime Bible stories and singing "church songs" in the car to pass the time. My real ministry was some where else, not in my boring, poorly decorated home.

Then, when I got to this part, I nodded my head in eager agreement.

If you are a Christian woman who loves the Lord, the gospel is important to you. It is easy to become discouraged, thinking that the work you are doing does not matter much. If you were really doing something for Christ you would be out there, somewhere else, doing it

I can't begin to tell you how many times I've lamented that if only I didn't have kids, I could be doing so much more for the kingdom. Or the number of times I've considered sending them to the baby sitters so I could go and serve some where. Needless to say, this statement really rang true to me, so I kept reading.

You'll notice at the top of this page, I've shared a quote from Rachel Jankovic, who is the author of the article I was reading. Here it is again, because I believe it bears repeating, plus, I've added the next sentence because it speaks to what I want this blog to accomplish.

At the very heart of the gospel is sacrifice, and there is perhaps no occupation in the world so intrinsically sacrificial as motherhood. Motherhood is a wonderful opportunity to live the gospel.

You see, I believe that what we do with and to and in the lives of our children matters. And it can matter for eternity. But, being completely, honest, I don't always live like I believe that. 

It is easy to think you have a heart for orphans on the other side of the world, but if you spend your time at home resenting the imposition your children are on you, you do not. You cannot have a heart for the gospel and a fussiness about your life at the same time. You will never make any difference there if you cannot be at peace here. You cannot have a heart for missions, but not for the people around you. A true love of the gospel overflows and overpowers. It will be in everything you do, however drab, however simple, however repetitive.

Ouch! I needed to hear that! While great ministry can happen on Facebook, it is not my primary mission field so long as I have children at home. While laundry needs to be folded and dishes scrubbed, if I do it resenting the people who dirtied the clothes or forgot to load the dishwasher, then I am not treating them as my mission field.

Even though I am not perfect at it, I believe that every mom has her mission field at home. Whether you stay at home with your kids, have a job outside of the home, or work at home, you are called to teach your kids the Gospel.

This blog has been created to encourage you through practical examples and stories of how some moms are doing it right now. I can promise you that our lives aren't perfect. We are all struggling with our own issues in raising missions minded kids. But I can assure you, we will all be honest with you and try to encourage you to raise kids who have a missional world view.