My Mission Field is at Home

We have a retired couple in our church that regularly go to the mission field. Anywhere from India to the Ukraine they are always ready, willing and very able to accept God's call on their lives to missions. I remember specifically one day sharing with Betty, that I would love to go on a short term medical mission one day. Her words to me have repeated in my mind many times since then, "Your mission field is at home". I know those words were from the Lord and Betty would never take credit for the impact that those words have made on my life. She is a very humble woman that way.

My husband is not a believer in Christ, my teenage daughter has had her share of challenges in the last few years, both emotionally and spiritually. My son is just eight and is probably the most spiritually mature Christian in my midst and very eager to learn the truths of Scripture. That in itself is a full mission field. Sometimes I wonder why God has entrusted this job to me. I am so unworthy and so imperfect. I struggle with patience, anger (although He has worked wonders on me in both those areas through the last couple of years) and I don't fell equipped for such an assignment. I struggle to be the example as a Christian wife and mother almost daily.

Many times I don't feel appreciated and want to walk away. One thing keeps me going each day and that is the unconditional love and acceptance that my Savior has for me. This is so evident each and every day. He never gives up on me or ever wants to walk away. He sees and accepts who I am and also sees where He is taking me to. He sees that as being "worth it" in the long run. That is how I need to see my "mission field" as "worth it" to look at my family through the eyes of Christ and where they will be one day. The struggles and hurdles of today are the character builders of tomorrow's dedicated Christians.