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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Beyond Our Homes


Here we are on the last of the six priorities that we as wives and moms can keep in front of us as we plan and pray through our weeks ... and this last one that we are covering opens up a wide door to endless opportunity.

As we give our days and hours, our best efforts to our families - we also have the opportunity to open up ourselves to the world beyond our home. For all of Scripture is for us; even, and especially this ...

"Go there and make disciples of all the nations."
(From Matthew 28:19)

This is not just for a select group of people. For even as moms, we can be a part of what God is doing in our world, as He longs to mend and heal broken hearts. We can pray the prayer (that my husband prays everyday) - "Lord, break my heart over the things that breaks Yours." And He will - He will open our eyes and show us what is on His heart.

We can go beyond our home even while we are busy at home - our prayers can be part of what God is doing on the other side of the ocean. Our giving, our creativity, our hearts can be part of things much bigger than ourselves. How this looks will be different at the various stages of our lives as mothers, but we are wise to always have our heart in tune with God's bigger picture.

Whether it's in serving a neighbor, taking a meal to someone struggling with an illness, leading a Bible Study group, going on a missions trip, supporting missionaries financially, helping with the elderly, the young, the sick - the opportunities are endless. We can be a part of what God is doing, and we can have the incredible joy of being involved with Him beyond our homes.

Also, for some moms, working at a job outside the home may fit into this final priority. Linda Dillow, author of the first Priority Planner and whose thoughts have influenced my own priorities, writes this about the working-outside-the-home mom: "You will not be able to spend the same quantity of time with your husband, children, or on your home, but the quality of time can be just the same ... Your attitude is the key." As we serve others outside the home, even with a working job, in the ways God has led us to do, then He will make a way for us to also keep our other priorities in place.

Wherever we are in life, whatever season we find ourselves in as a mom - it's all about depending on God as we love and serve our families. Needing His strength and love. Every day. And keeping these six main priorities in front of us - reminding ourselves of them, praying over them, and following God's direction regarding them - can be a source of help and encouragement for us.

Thanks for traveling with me through these posts on Planning with Priorities. May our hours and our days always be placed at His feet, listening for His direction as we love and serve as mothers in this life with so many things calling for our attention.


Links to all the posts in this Planning with Priorities series:

3 comments:

  1. It got to meet Linda Dillow earlier this year and tell her that I used and loved her lime green planner, when I was a newlywed. Thanks for these encouraging words, Cherry.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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    1. Glenda, how fun to meet Linda Dillow in person - and also to hear that you used her planner, too. :)

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  2. Love this! My our hearts be broken and our eyes opened to ways we can server others. Thanks for sharing this encouragement with Thrive @ Home Thursday!

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