I know that those of you who have little ones find it hard to believe, but the time we have with our children really does go by so quickly! We have between 18 and 20 years with our kids. If you stop to think about it, in the big scheme of things, that really isn’t very much time. But then if you think about the fact that at age 4 or 5 they begin school, and in the following 12 years, they are in the care of other people much of the day (unless you homeschool). Then, if you consider the fact that they often get jobs in their teen years, play on sports teams, and all the many other things that slowly draw them away from our homes, you will realize that our time with them really is short!
As my kids were growing up, I had an intense desire to make the moments count and to create an atmosphere in our home that would make the times when they returned home something that they would look forward to. God led me through each season and gave me clear guidance as I sought to make our home a place that they wanted to be in. The most important thing was that they always knew that I was on their side, fighting along side them in the daily battle of life, and that they were welcomed home no matter what! As they got older, I did find that I had to work a little bit harder to let them know I was on their team. I was competing with their jobs, friends, classes, and a social life. They daily encountered so many voices that wanted to speak into their lives.
The battle is intense. They are in a battle with the world, the flesh and the devil. It can be exhausting, for them and for me. And even thought both of my children are now grown, as a mom I can’t help but enter into their battle in order to help them in their daily fight. That is my calling. That’s why I’m here.
That’s why God gave us the ministry of motherhood.
One of the things that I’ve loved doing for them, for as long as I can remember, (and still love doing!) is to look for unique and special ways to welcome them home. Whether they have been gone for the evening, for a few hours, or for the weekend, I think of something to do to make them feel welcomed and to make them glad they are home. Whether I had a snack waiting, cleaned their room, stopped what I was doing to listen to how their time away from our home had gone, or offered to make coffee or tea for them, I worked to make them know that I was happy they were home! If they had been gone for a couple of days, I loved buying a small gift to leave for them on their pillow. Sometimes I would just meet them at the door with a hug or yell “WOO HOO!” when they walk through the door! Anything that would let them know that I was happy they were there.
God has called me to make my home a haven for those He has entrusted to my care. Even now, I want it to be the place they feel loved, accepted, and welcomed. I want it to be the place they find forgiveness and patience. I want to walk with them through their battles and sit on the sidelines cheering them on. I want them to find Christ in my home. And as I offer my life up to God and give my life away to serve my precious children—His precious children—I am learning how to live the gospel out in as many tangible ways I can find.
What a privilege! What a joy!
My prayer is that my home will continue to be a living illustration of the gospel to those who walk through my front door. One day, when I am not as prominent in their lives as I am now, my prayer is that they will remember how they experienced Christ in my home.
