Reaching Out

I have so many things that I need to get done each day. The necessities like; schooling the kids, laundry, preparing and cleaning up after three meals, my quiet time, keeping the house clean and orderly and so on. This doesn't even include the things I would like to get done each day like; time to myself, reading to the kids, computer time, or a shower (I suppose this could be a need). I rarely sit down. The needs of my life can be all-consuming. Each day I find myself so focused on getting done all the needs and wants done that I start to live life in survival mode. I find myself so consumed with all that is going on in the walls of my house that I forget to look outside those walls to the people around me and their needs. Right now I have a number of friends and some family members who have some big challenges in their lives. How do I best help them? They have all been the focus of my prayers lately, but I wonder if I could do more. God has blessed me with six great kids and a wonderful husband and I know they need to be my number one priority. I also know they are my first ministry at this stage of my life, but sometimes I wonder if I can do more. Sometimes I feel as if my husband and children being my first priority can be an excuse for me to not reach out to others.

How can I, a home school mother of six kids, look beyond my own household and help those around me? How can I show Christ's love to a dying world? How can I show my kids that more in life matters than the things of our own family? How can I help them have a passion for the lost people of the world? These are the desires of my heart and I believe the desires of God's heart as well.

I want to have open eyes to see those around me and their needs. I want to be willing to sacrifice my time and agenda to those around me when they are in need. I desire to be ever-attentive and sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and directing me to people who have a need I can help with. And if nothing else, I can pray for the ones the Spirit brings to mind.