Welcome to Week #2 of our Say Yes Series! Were you able to craft a family mission statement last week? I hope so! It is the foundation for pursuing intentionality in our mothering! It will help you set the course for how you want to spend your time.

Today I want to focus on priorities as a mama, specifically as it relates to our ministry. How can we become a YES mom, one that fully engages with her life and her children? I believe it starts with viewing our job as mom as our primary ministry, as our first mission field.

I want to ask you: are you filling your life so full that you do not have time to truly invest in your home and family? It may be time for you to take some time with the Lord to evaluate what He has for you and to help you figure out what you need to let go.

"As women, we fall for this idea that we can "do it all", and usually end up frazzled and frustrated. But when we understand what God wants us to do and ask for His help, it leads to freedom and joy. What motivates your activities? Are you trying to make a good impression? It is just that you can't say no? Why don't you ask God what is on His agenda for this season of your life?"- Nancy Leigh DeMoss

This isn't to say that any ministry outside of your family is wrong, not at all! We just need to be careful about how full we fill our plates, and seek the Lord and what He has for us to do. There are so many opportunities, but what are the ones only you can do? There are very few things that only you can do....like being a wife to your husband and your children.

Last week, Ruth talked about using the word NO. It is so important for us moms to be able to say no to the good, so that we can say yes to the best. Ask any older woman and she will tell you, "It went by so fast. My kids were grown before I knew it. Cherish the time you have with them."

Deuteronomy 6:7-9 says, "You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."

He has entrusted us with little souls that are searching for truth, and our job is to teach them diligently. This kind of ministry takes time! It is important not to underestimate just how much time it takes to really do this job well.

"[Motherhood as a mission field] is giving up yourself. Lay yourself down. Sacrifice yourself here, now. Cheerfully wipe the nose for the fiftieth time today. Make dinner again for the people who don't like the green beans. Laugh when your plans are thwarted by a vomiting child. Lay yourself down for the people here with you, the people who annoy you, the people who get in your way, the people who take up so much of your time that you can't read anymore. Rejoice in them. Sacrifice for them. Gain that which you cannot lose in them." Rachel Jankovic

Our first, our primary, our most important ministry, is right in our homes training our little ones. I know that it isn't glamorous and there is no one clapping for you at the end of the day.

The late Sono Harris (the mother of Josh Harris and Alex and Brett Harris) said this, "The season of young children is a time to refrain. Refrain from most outside activities, even some church activities. Now is a time to be faithful in discipline...it's the springtime of mothering. Redeem the time, don't waste it." Sono did not know that her life would be cut short due to cancer, that she would leave her family before all of her children were grown. I'm guessing beautiful Sono is looking down from heaven now, happy with her choice to invest in the lives of her family first.

Your assignment this week: Get alone with the Lord, spending some time quietly with Him in His Word. Evaluate your commitments and ask the Lord if there is anything you need to let go. Take a moment to imagine yourself looking back on your life. What would you want to do differently? What would you regret? What would you want to change? We will use this next Monday, so be sure to come back for more discussion on our priorities as a mom!

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