I clung to her words and I never forgot them.

11 years ago, when I was a mother of three children under the age of six, I remember life being hard.   Stephen traveled heavily leaving me to be a single parent, and while he was making his way around the world, I was wiping noses, bottoms and tears.  I never had time to read a book, I failed in my devotional life, I often felt lonely, and I wanted to feel significant.

I would go through seasons where I would over commit myself to compensate for my feelings of insignificance.  I had this desire to do ministry, and so I would commit myself to various events.  I played on the worship team, I volunteered in children’s ministry, we led a small group in our home, and I helped lead our women’s ministry program.  As I would over commit my time, I would burn out and have to pull back.  Then I would go through seasons of depression feeling like I was failing.  It was a constant battle in my life trying to figure out the balance of motherhood, work, and ministry.

But I remembered something that my friend Stacy said to me during this time of my life…..and this helped.

Stacy is 6 years older and a mother of three children.  She had flown down from Bellingham to Portland to speak at our women’s retreat for our church. As we were driving from the airport to the retreat center, I was sharing with Stacy all my feelings, frustrations and dreams.  She said to me:

“Patricia, there is a season for everything.  While you might not see it now, God has a plan for your life, and you just need to trust Him.  You are very talented and he will use your talents. What you are doing as a mom is significant. Your significance is not what you do, but who you are to God. You just need to focus on your young children and eventually you will have more freedom to do more things.”

I never forgot those words.  Often on my worst days, my loneliest days, I clung to what Stacy said.

11 years later, from the Amazon to Africa, I have scattered my heart across the world, but now I get to settle in the comforts of my home. I get to sit by the fire and read a book, relax, cook, play games with my kids, and enjoy the greatest place on earth.  Home.

I thought about Stacy today and what she told me years ago.  I am thankful for her words and how she reminded me as a young mom that what I was doing was significant to God.

Now that I can do more, I am still reminded that the greatest ministry I have and the most significant work in my life is right where I am at today.  Home.  I am grateful.

Be blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!