Live Your Purpose

A Child’s Question

The other night, my 10-year-old son and I were in the kitchen together washing dishes. As we talked he suddenly asked me, “Mom, what do you think is the most important job of a parent?”

Knowing my kind-hearted son, he wanted to be reassured that my job as a parent was of course, to love and take care of him. But also knowing that this was an opportunity to speak truth into my young son’s heart, I paused for a minute thinking about how to respond:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men… It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”  Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

Faithfulness in THIS Season

This is my season of life.  Taking care of my family takes up the majority of my time.  I am always tired and often question how well I am doing…still,  the majority of the time, I love it.  I’m grateful to God for the gift of my family and the privilege to serve them.  I don’t take lightly the responsibility my husband and I have to train up two young men to become mighty men of God in a world that is constantly, viciously trying to steal and destroy them.

But I also recognize the existence of my own spiritual battle.  The importance of being well fed with the Word of God myself so that I have wisdom to offer my boys.  I must be continually growing in my faith and in my walk with God so that I can be an example of a godly woman to my sons. I need to be in prayer with God, voicing my praise, concerns and requests as well as taking time to listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit that guides my thoughts and prompts my actions.  And I pray that I am always open and searching for ways to serve God in whatever ways he calls me throughout my life.

“The one thing required of such servants is that they be faithful.”  1 Corinthians 4:2 (TEV)

So in this season of life, I primarily serve God by serving my family; because I know that it pleases Him when I am faithful.  It pleases Him when I speak to my sons about my faith and the things I am learning. He is glad when I am able to insert the truth of God into everyday conversations and teach my sons how to have a godly perspective in even the most practical things. It honors Him when I guide my sons in prayer, teaching them to pray out of thankfulness and joy. He comforts me when I admit my struggles, fears, and worries and surrender my sons to Him once again. And it delights Him when I live out an example of a servant heart in front of my sons. When they see me seeking the Lord’s will and ways to honor Him with my service to others.

Teach [my words] to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night. Deuteronomy 11:18 (MSG)

As my boys get older, my role with them will change.  I will always offer them wisdom, and try to be a faithful example to them, but the actual day to day service to them will lessen and one day, I pray my sons will find women who love the Lord, get married and leave my home to begin their own families.  My season of life will continue to change; and gradually, over time my assignments for God will change.  When my boys are no longer under my roof, I want to eagerly accept the next opportunity to serve God: and the next, and the next, and the next.  I want to be open to His leading. I want to continue to build my faith and walk in His truth. I want the wisdom He gives me to be used however He sees fit.

“Throw yourself into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.”  1 Corinthians 15:58b (MSG)

My Answer

So, in the few seconds it took me to gather all of these thoughts, here is how I answered my son:

“Well, I believe that the most important job of a parent, and really everybody, is to serve God. To work at whatever He gives you to do in life.  And for me, right now one of the ways I serve God is to take care of you and to love you.  There are other things I do to serve Him, like work at church, but over time those things will change.  I will always have something to do for God even when I’m old.  And you will always have something to do for Him too.  He wants all of us to find ways to serve Him in whatever we are doing.”

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

He seemed satisfied with my answer and quickly moved on to the next topic, as 10-years-olds often do.  As he walked away, the conversation stuck with me as a reminder of the life-long mission I am on for my Savior.  He has a purpose that is just for me and he has a purpose that is just for you.  He knows our strengths, our talents, our preferences, and our personalities. And He has planned for them. He has plans for us!  

Our Purpose

I really want to be like David from the Bible; “For David… served the purpose of God in his own generation.” (Acts 13:36 NASB) And because of David’s faithfulness,  God called David “a man after my own heart.” (2 Corinthians 10:13)  Oh, how I would love to be called a ‘woman after God’s own heart!’

Our roles will change with our stage of life, but our purpose never changes. He has created us to serve Him and bring Him glory in our own unique way, in our own unique place.  Let’s run after it. Let’s dedicate ourselves to it… whatever God calls us to. Let’s welcome our next assignment and embrace it. Even though we’re tired today, let’s not grow weary of doing the will of our Father.

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 (MSG)

Is your life crazy and you don’t always have time to LOOK FOR HOPE?

 Let us email that nourishment to you. In general, we send encouragement, links to our recent faith-building blog posts and our month’s freebies right to your inbox. Then we invite you to email us back and let us know what you want to read about, how we can pray for you – we want to stay connected.