“If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”
—Mother Teresa

Not long ago a good friend contacted me, asking for prayer because of a big transition her and her husband were about to make. You see, they’re both in full-time ministry, and they decided that it would be best for their family if she became a stay-at-home mom.  She wanted me to pray for a number of reasons. The first thing she said was, she was nervous their pastor would think she was giving up on her calling to full-time ministry. Immediately, I felt led to encourage her that directions in her calling can change. They will look different in different seasons, but to be confident in this: a stay-at-home mom is in FULL-TIME MINISTRY!

Right away, I had a Holy Spirit lightbulb moment. Being a spouse and a parent in reality is a full-time ministry! While encouraging my sweet friend, I suddenly felt empowered by the role the Father had me in right now, in this season as a stay-at-home mom. Cleaning the kitchen, taking care of my children, doing laundry, planning meals, managing the budget, buying groceries and much, much more began to look different to me.

I used to ask myself if what I was doing at home was important, or if I was doing enough at church, serving in enough places, or just DOING enough, in general. But in that Holy Spirit moment, I was set free from those high-pressure thoughts brought on by the enemy himself. It made me feel like my role was vital, necessary, and beautiful. It radically changed my perspective and allowed me to shake off any unnecessary pressure when I realized that what I do every day for my family is not only important but it’s more than enough. In fact, it’s ministering to them similarly to the way I would in church or in the community.

To top it off, my husband and I are growing disciples right in our own home as we raise our children. Don’t get me wrong, serving in church and caring for people in the community are important, but our priority is first to our family. When I said a firm “goodbye” to the pressure to do more than what I am called to do right now, in this season, it freed me up and empowered me to take care of my family in peace and in love.

Dear friends, don’t allow the enemy or the comparisons to what other people are accomplishing diminish the value of loving and serving your family. When those things are in proper order, everything else flows from that place so beautifully. It’s world-changing stuff! I pray that right now, in this moment, your eyes would be opened to this revelation: what you do for your family is incredibly powerful, important, and eternal in nature. I would even go so far as to say that there is no higher calling than the ministry of home.

– Kristin Johnson