Did I Miss the Boat??
Last weekend, Jon and I were sitting in church when the youth pastor announced that the kids would be going to camp this summer, and volunteers went along as counselors. I thought “OOH, that would be fun! I should do that!”
And then I remembered that I’m a mom. And that a then 18-month-old wouldn’t fit in so well at summer camp.
And for a moment I was sad. Not sad about being a mom, but sad because I wished I had taken advantage of more service opportunities when I had the chance.
When I was in college, or working, and single, I was so free to do what I pleased with my time. I was able to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. And I didn’t realize it then.
Then, I thought I had my whole life in front of me. And I did. But that didn’t mean that I needed to wait for opportunities later. The time of singleness, before you’re married and a mommy, is so valuable. That is a time that you can honestly serve in any way you’d like. If you want to go be a camp counselor for a week, you CAN. If you want to take a missions trip to Mexico or Kenya or China, you CAN. If you want to spend a few days a week at the local nursing home, you CAN. Nothing is standing in your way.
Please do not get me wrong. I love love love being married and being a mommy. I wouldn’t trade it for anything, and if you’re in this stage of life with me {or already passed through it}, you know that there is more service and sacrifice HERE than there has been at any other previous life stage. And I know that this service is so precious to our Lord, and it makes a difference in the lives of my family. And I really do love it.
But sometimes, I long to be used in other ways – not instead of, but in addition to. Sometimes, I’d love to go serve with kiddos for a week in the mountains somewhere. I’d love to meet with women and encourage them in the stage of life they’re in. I’d love to find a quiet corner of a coffee shop and just write all day. Engage in things that are bigger than me, things that serve my God in a way that He has created me to serve. To use my gifts in a way that doesn’t always center around diapers and dishes and dinner. And after the announcement in church, I felt a little regretful, like maybe I had missed the boat on some really awesome opportunities to serve.
But the Lord graciously led my mind back to one thought, and He reminded me of the message He was really trying to get through, the message I want to pass on to you:
If you’re single or even married without kids yet, SERVE. However you can, however God is asking you to. Do it. Live totally for Him and His people, and give yourself however you can. One day, your time will be limited and your resources will be committed in other ways. It’s a blessing to be able to serve freely. Read that again. IT IS A BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO SERVE FREELY.
If you’re a mommy, SERVE. Right there, at home, where you have little eyes and ears that are trained on you at all times. You get to serve in a new way – one that is incredibly tough and rewarding, one that only you can do. You are shaping lives and characters and raising sons and daughters of the King. IT IS A BLESSING TO GROW A FAMILY. One day, you will look back and ache for these times. Don’t wish them away.
We are called to be present in the time we’re in. We are called to serve in whatever way we can, right where we are. Enjoy today: embrace it, use it, and be grateful. 🙂
Kayse Pratt serves Christian women as a writer + designer, creating home + life management resources that help those women plan their days around what matters most. She’s created the most unique planner on the market, helped over 400 women create custom home management plans, and works with hundreds of women each month inside her membership, teaching them how to plan their days around what matters most. When she’s not designing printables or writing essays, you’ll find Kayse homeschooling her kids, reading a cheesy novel with a giant cup of tea in hand, or watching an old show from the 90’s with her husband, who is her very best friend.