Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. Colossians 3:23
I used to be stuck on this notion that if I wanted to live my life for God, I had to do it through big actions for large audiences. To be impactful for his kingdom, it had to be quite impressive. Boy, did I have it all wrong. As a stay-at-home momma, my perspective on how I could be used by God was blurred.
Through those years of homeschooling my two kids, I always felt like I wasn’t doing enough. Now don’t get me wrong, my daily to-do list was a mile long, but I felt like none of it was for his kingdom. Oftentimes, while we were at home doing school and life, I felt like everyone else was out living their lives in adventurous ways with grand experiences. I felt less than and at times wasn’t content with the role that God had led me to, even though looking back it was one of the greatest blessings he has given me. The time I got to spend with my kids was priceless.
Thank God He finally opened my heart and eyes to the fact that it’s in the everyday, mundane moments that he can use us for His good. Sometimes we may think our everyday hustle and bustle is just busy work that has to be done, a list to be checked off, but if we take the time to see it, God is woven in it all.
I have learned that it is not the size of the calling that matters, but our willingness and obedience to follow it.
HAYLEY WILLIAMS
It also doesn’t matter if you are serving 1 or 100. What does matter is the condition of your heart and your attitude while in action. Being obedient and intentional is what God has called us to do, and we must surrender the outcome of it to him.
One of our greatest testimonies will be how we live our day-to-day life. How did we treat people? How did we react to certain situations? Often times we think of serving those outside our home, but what if the people we are called to minister to are those closest and dearest to us?
As a wife and mother, how I treat my husband and kids will have a long-term impact on them and their future actions. If I show them love and respect and live Christlike, then some of that will take root in their own hearts and hopefully one day become fruitful in their lives.
Even at your workplace, your actions and the words you speak have impact. Who do they point to? Are you an encourager? Can people see Jesus in your life even at your job? When we go to town, do we offer smiles and kindness to those we encounter or do we turn a cold cheek and just carry on about our own business?
God gives us so many opportunities to shine his light in our communities. Do we let it shine or are we too busy and just hide it under a bushel? Never underestimate the power of a smile or small gestures of kindness. It truly can turn around someone’s day and lift their mood.
One thing I learned during the pandemic was how much I missed seeing people smile. It was hard to see and share a smile while wearing a mask during the pandemic. I realized just how much of an impact a smile has and it is quite significant. Never underestimate the power behind your willingness to be obedient. The task may seem minuscule, but when you release it into God’s hands, the outcome has no limits of how far and wide it can reach.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which in in heaven. Matthew 5:16
It has taken several years, but I can now see the some of the benefits of my time asa stay-at-home mom. As I am drawing near to the end of my time as a homeschooling mom, I see the spiritual fruit it produced by just showing and teaching my family about Jesus inside our home. At the time, I felt like I wasn’t making a difference, but I can now look back and see how my actions rippled out to my family. Not only did it help grow them spiritually, it helped strengthen me as well. Some lessons seemed to take root and for that I am truly grateful, and I am still praying and trusting God for more. He is good and faithful, and if we will just be obedient to the callings he puts on our heart, we can be amazed at the things he can accomplish.
You may see yourself as ordinary but we have an extraordinary God! What you may think is a minuscule task, when placed into God’s hands and done for his kingdom, the impact can be of great magnitude. If he places something on your heart to do, trust him with the process and just do it. He is worthy of our obedience and praise.
Keep moving forward, Friend.
Hayley Williams is a Christian, wife, an aspiring writer and homeschooling mama of 2 kids. Since her daughter graduated this past Spring, her focus is now teaching her son, who is 15. God is her everything. Hayley desires for other women to know that they are enough, loved and worth it. Hayley is passionate about helping women to know that God will help them through the trials of life and He is faithful!
We thank you, Hayley, for your wisdom, insight and loving on all the moms out there. Your contribution to this publication of Titus-two.com is truly appreciated.
You are loved to Heaven and Back, Hayley ~~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
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