As a young wife and mother, mired in the day to day, I sometimes wondered if I was doing and being all God wanted or expected. I yearned for a sense of purpose, at times not realizing it was right in front of me…

I sat spellbound as the guest speaker shared experiences from her years of missionary service in Kenya. With a crown of white hair and clear blue eyes, this gentle servant’s face seemed to glow with love for her Lord. I was moved to tears as story after story unfolded, demonstrating God’s faithfulness to people in physical and spiritual poverty.

As I listened, I found myself drawn to this servant of God in a way that seemed to reach to the depths of my heart. Deeply moved, I prayed, Oh Lord, I want to serve You like that! I want to go. I want to do something for You. Oh Father, please show me my mission field!

Later that week, lost in my regular routine, I found myself questioning my earlier feelings of urgency. Lord, where is my mission field? I have a husband and children. I have endless responsibilities. I can’t just run off to a foreign country. I felt Your call to deeper servanthood, but what is it You want me to do?

I could almost hear the heavens sigh as the light went on in my mind and heart. That’s right, I am a wife and mother. My first calling is to serve God by serving my family. I felt a thrill as I realized that I am a missionary, right here, right now. By divine appointment I am here in this place to minister to those with whom I come in contact.

After her family, a mom’s mission field includes neighbors, the check-out clerk in the grocery store, the elderly lady sitting alone in the next booth at McDonald’s, and anyone else the Lord lays on our hearts. God want us to open our spiritual eyes and be aware of what He’s already doing around us. All He asks is that we be willing, ready, and faithful to His call.

Moms, don’t ever wonder where your mission field might be – you are living it every day. Little hearts are fertile soil for precious seeds of the Gospel.

Father, I am humbled by Your call on my life. I stand amazed that You would entrust me with touching others in Your name. May I be ever aware of the tremendous privilege and responsibility You have given me. Open my eyes, Lord, to every opportunity to speak for You.

  These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.   Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.   Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9 HCSB)