A few months ago we were at the park and my little one was playing with another little girl her age. I began talking to her mother, a sweet young mom in her mid twenties. As we were chatting, I had that feeling, you know that spirit feeling where you are inclined to do something that isn\’t necessarily in your comfort zone.I went for it and invited her to church. I had an invite card in my purse and gave her some info. It was totally casual and she said she would love to visit sometime.Good job me! One for the Jesus team! Woohoo!Fast forward to last week.

As mothers we are called to the greatest ministry in this world:To raise up a generation of Christ followers, leaders and world changers.To raise a generation of men and woman who will be lights in a dark world.Sally Clarkson says Jesus made world changers of his 12 disciples in 3 years and we have about 18 years to do the same!What an incredible calling and ministry that HE has entrusted us with!That is our calling and it is not for the weak!The pressures of this modern world are harsh and the traps set out for or children are cruel and sometimes well concealed.In this era of information and quick satisfaction, we are called to raise children that will seek truth and not Wikipedia facts. We are called to raise children who will learn to abide and be still, instead of running to each over-scheduled activity in fear of boredom and hidden potential.

One verse that has been such an amazing testament in my life these past few months has been Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw of everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” To know that I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses that have run this motherhood race before me is so encouraging and inspiring. Ecclesiastes says that ‘there is nothing new under the son’ and motherhood certainly isn't anything new!

My Story is one of faithfulness, which I have personally come to love in the last few months but which I honestly did not see any value in before then.When I was 17 I went on my first mission trip to Mexico with my youth group. It was a week of hard work in 115 degree weather, ministering to sweet families and children. It was the first time I really saw the face of poverty. I still picture those faces and can remember the names of some of the children.That week changed my life in many ways.That week, we were at the evening church meeting. It was a tiny church, no A/C, rickety pews, an outhouse for a bathroom. A girl in her early twenties came in and the pastor asked me, since I spoke Spanish, to speak with her and minister to her. I had never done anything like that in my life! I was terrified!Though I spoke Spanish, it was not well enough to share the Gospel message…or so I thought.I love that about God. You think you don’t qualify. You think there isn’t anyway you can get outside of who you “think” you are in order to do what He desires of you.All he requires of you is to say yes to Him and He fills you to not just enough, but to overflowing.That evening, I introduced myself to this girl, who was known for walking the streets and was only a few years older than I and I presented the gospel message…in Spanish!And let me tell you…I never knew I knew some of the words I used!It was amazing.

At the beginning of the New Year I had made a resolution: I was going to take a bubble bath once a week!A perfect kind of resolution!The first few weeks into the year I was beside myself, for I came to realize God desired so much more from my life than I had been giving Him. In the midst of motherhood and babies; being a loving wife and intentional mother, I lost the vision for myself.I lost the desire to dream in the midst of diapers.I lost the desire to plan in the “to do” lists.I had lost the joy of the work set before me.The idea of God desiring to use me for more was daunting and overwhelming. I had nothing else to give. Yet, I was restless and discontent.

She is tender hearted.She is dramatic.She is strong, but gentle.She loves pink and flowers and beauty.She can play by herself for hours imagining the day away.She doesn’t like “itchy” things and she despises the color green.She is my girly, girl.She is my girl.