I believe with all of my heart that if you follow Jesus, you shouldn't separate the secular from the sacred. You shouldn't live one way on Sunday and live differently the other 6 days of the week. You should live your life pursuing Jesus and loving Him with your all, no matter where you are working. For me in my life these days that means my work as a wife, mother, and business owner are all tied in with my relationship with the Lord. God has given me passions and abilities unique to me for a purpose. My prayer is that I would steward those giftings well and love others like Him in the process.
Whether I am working as a stay-at-home mom or running my own business, my work is my ministry. And I believe that if we all pursued Jesus with our all in everything we do, the world would be a very different place. When we allow Him to guide us and use us for His purposes, we can be confident that everything we do is for His good.
Hanging in my living room is a prayer that reminds me daily to dedicate my work to the Lord. It reads " Lord I give you this day. I pray for productivity and patience, creativity, and kindness. Thank you for the gifts you have blessed me with, and I ask that you would give me the wisdom to use them to their fullest. I pray that these efforts would be a testament to your goodness and that all the glory would be yours. Amen!"
I begin each day with this prayer, and throughout my day as I walk to my living room and glance at it on the wall I am reminded time and time again of how important the work I am doing is. Not necessarily taking photos or the mundane day-to-day tasks of keeping house and raising babies- but the deep work of serving Him and loving His people.
I believe we are called to be followers of Jesus, and that that calling in our life never changes. I also believe that in different seasons of our lives we are given different assignments which change throughout our life. Right now in my current season, my assignments are to be a mother and a wife and to be a business owner. While I am given this assignment, my calling to follow Jesus is still very present- in fact, it is woven into the decisions I make and the way I approach my assignments every day.
So practically what does that look like in my life these days?
I strive to begin my day in the Word, seeking Wisdom, praying for guidance, and that prayer mentioned above.
I try to be intentional with encouraging others and praying for & with them. As a mama who serves other mamas, I have a deep understanding of the struggles most mothers walk through. Things like sleepless nights and sick babies, as well as heavier things like fear and anxiety and post-partum depression.
I try to set boundaries and stick to them. Attempting to achieve a life of balance between work and home will always be something I am striving to work toward.
I am not perfect, but I strive to honor the Lord and love others in every aspect of what I do (some days that is much harder than others).
So, no matter what assignment I have been given for a season, the mission remains the same and my work is still my ministry. I encourage you today to ask the Lord how He might want to use you in your life season to bring Him glory.
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:17
