I remember well my mom always telling me that a Christian woman does not even need to venture outside her home to minister. Of course, this does not mean that she shouldn’t ever minister outside her home, but it is amazing to me how true it is that God will bring ministry right to her very doorstep.
Whether it is a friend in need of encouragement, a lonely neighbor without Christ, a phone call with someone who just needs to be prayer at that moment, a friend in tears at church, a young girl who needs to see a home where Jesus is the center… the opportunities are endless. And none of this is counting the most important daily ministry we have to our families–loving our husbands, raising our children to the glory of God.
This morning I read an old poem that I’ve been familiar with since I was a little girl. As a wife and mother now, it holds so much more meaning to me.
Isn’t There a Noble Task?
“There seems to be so little that I can do for Thee,
Isn’t there a noble task that You would have for me?
Something that the world may know I’m busy for my King;
Beside the dull and daily tasks that every new day brings?
For how can stacks of dishes and piles of dirty clothes,
Tackled and completed, ever tell Christ rose?
Or stories, mud and band-aids; read, cleaned up, applied,
Tell the world of Jesus, my Saviour, crucified?”
“Oh, busy, busy mother, your task is very great.
I’ve given you eternal souls to teach and educate.
Not in worldly wisdom, in fame or honor grand,
But how to love and serve My cause, and seek that better land.
For as you tackle homey tasks with children by your side,
You have the greatest privilege, within their hearts to hide
Bits of goodly treasures from My Holy Word,
Which many mighty men of faith first from their mothers heard.
Oh, busy, busy mother, I need you where you are.
Your task at hand is very great, you need not travel far.
Oh love and teach these little souls, and help them grow to be
Steadfast within the simple faith, to be of use to Me.”
-from Heart Throbs of Motherhood by Miriam Druist
written August 2006
What a good post, Ashleigh. I understand the feeling behind this, for I was mentioning to my husband the other day about how so many people need to come to know Christ, and how was I to know how to help? We need to be willing, and also to realize that, as women, our ministry often comes in the guise of everyday encounters and tasks. Like you said, taking care of our families and also making time for others, as the Lord leads. I really appreciate you taking the time to write this! It is a great help to know that those things that we do everyday are not in vain! God sees all and reward us for our obedience.
That’s a great poem! It reminds me of what my Dad teaches constantly to everyone that will listen. “Why look for disciples to teach when God has given you some clean slates right at home?!” Having a fresh little impressionable soul in our home is the greatest responsability we could ever ask for! Often in our day to day tasks we forget this most important ministry should be the dearest to our hearts. And the number one in our priorities.
Alright…I guess what I’m really meaning to say is “AMEN SISTER!”
Much Love
Thank you so much for posting this poem – I am so blessed by it!
The poem so perfectly says what I have always been taught in a way that is easily read and understood. It takes all I have been taught and rolls it up into one short, sweet read. Thanks for sharing. I am going to pass it on to my Bible study group. I think all girls need to read this! Thanks again.
Kaomi
Amen to this, Ash!!
Such truth and wisdom here.