a journey home

I feel like I’m always headed somewhere. Even if it’s just to the laundry room.

I also feel like I’m always distracted. “Why am I standing in the boys’ room with an armload of laundry, a shoe, and a dog toy? Where was I going and in what order?”

Even in the most unintentional of tasks, there is a location for which I am headed. I AM going somewhere, even if I get distracted or re-routed.

If I could remember this reality in life, my purpose and hope would be much more secure.

I am on a journey HOME. Every trip, step, errand….it all points home. Every distraction and re-routing will eventually still have me arriving at my final destination.

I’m going to share a piece of my history with lies I’ve believed and growth that happened after a lot or rerouting.

This weekend I was humbled to sit in a room with 3000 women at MOMcon. These women and myself serve and lead in some capacity with MOPs (mothers of preschoolers) all around the globe.

Turn to Luke 10

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭38-42‬ ESV)

I’m immediately shocked that she TOLD Jesus what to do! But, those servants who are task oriented, they love to tell others what to do (like how I said those in an effort to deny I’ve ever fit that mold??)

Those task oriented servants also enjoy having control. That effort to control and manipulate also means WE tell God the plan. Whether it’s an intentional conversation with Him or just taking our own steps without consulting Him, we manipulate and control….ourselves, others, and even try this on the Lord.

However, we forget our journey home always ends in the same reality. Whether we make our own plans for a while or live daily in obedience…we’ll end with eternity with or without Him.

She said “God is offering you a meaningful life, and we say ‘but look at her'”.

Mary & Martha were headed for the same destination. They did not have the same process though. For this moment, Mary’s process was much more rich.

I want that rich process. I want my journey home to be filled with being with Jesus and family and people. I don’t want it to be spent in solitude filled with resentment and bitterness at those who are journeying in rich presence with one another.

Shauna Niequist was one of many speakers, but she the one whose words were used by the Lord to resonate with my soul.

“God is offering a meaningful life and we say “But look at her!” ”

Now turn to John 21

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭20-23‬ ESV)

My meaningful life and my journey are His processes in my heart. My portion is about being a steward of what He’s put in my lot. My purpose to glorify Him revolves around my relationships.

I feel the weight and conviction when I see Jesus ask “what is that to you?”

When I focus for one second too long on what I may think are my my husband’s shortcomings, faults, imperfections….I hear Christ whisper “what is that to YOU? Love Him….you have weaknesses too yet I love you. I actually reveal my strength in your weaknesses. Believe that and know I do the same for Him. Trust me and my Spirit IN your husband.”

When I think on how I compare to other moms, I hear Jesus say “what is that to YOU? I have given you your children to love, disciple, train, and cherish. Be with them right now instead of letting your thoughts wonder.”

Those are two vulnerable expressions that I’ve confessed to Him and friends in the last few days.

Speaking of friendships. Be looking on a fresh perspective on friendship in the next few days.

I’m thankful for a church who supports MOPs. I’ll be sharing this week the magnitude of this ministry in the lives of mothers. If you haven’t had young children at home or it has been a while, I trust you have also experienced the every day stress and responsibilities that weigh down your heart and thoughts. These mothers with little children are raising the next generation. What a vital role we can play in pouring into their hearts, minds, and lives by providing them with trustworthy childcare, relevant information, inspiring teaching, and connection for meaningful relationships in an effort to send them home refreshed and battle worthy to fight the enemy who wars for our distraction from our families and purpose.

That is not the last of the longest sentences ever you will see from me on the topic of MOPs.

On your journey home today, ponder how you can be “with” instead of just “for” and consider how you can connect instead of dwell on the sidelines watching others.

Me? I’m going to move from serving through providing meals to providing meals with a detailed written prayer for the individual or family. Dropping off a meal doesn’t always allow a deep conversation. But, I can still connect by detailing my heart and prayer to them through written words.

Instead of looking at others, I’m going to get with them. I have 3 dear friends that I don’t spend enough time with because I’m so distracted with being with a lot of people on a weekly basis. I keep connected through text, but I’m going to take steps to be with them in person and experience friendship.

“Friendship is God’s sacred work of putting broken pieces together”-Shauna Niequist

How about you?