Parenthood: ​the greatest mission field.

My husband, Steve, and I had been married about 2 years, and were serving full-time in itinerant ministry. It was fast paced, 24/7 work, travelling internationally to present the gospel through the medium of drama (and various other methods of communication). We did not yet have children and were heavily committed to the mission of “go into all the world to preach the gospel”.

One day everything changed. I saw a wide staircase stretching to the heavens. The end was out of sight but it knew it carried on further than I could comprehend. On the staircase were hundreds of people, shoulder to shoulder, climbing the staircase in a smooth gait. At the bottom of the staircase stood 3 small children, holding on to the large banister beside the stairs. I asked the Lord what I was seeing and quickly realised that the people on the staircase were the recipients of our ministry. The ones we had reached with the gospel message, and were now entering into their eternal reward. It was exciting and exhilarating for a moment to feel that we had made, or would make, a difference. Our mission looked successful as people climbed the staircase to meet Jesus face to face. Then I noticed the children standing at the bottom of the staircase, next to the bannister, not on any of the steps leading upward. I didn’t understand the significance and so I asked the Lord to explain who the children were. They were mine. Not yet born. When I asked why they were just standing beside the staircase - the revelation that came next, impacted my heart, soul and mind with such force that my life changed forever….In our zeal to be successful in ministry, we had poured all our attention, resources and influence to the people on the staircase. The children had been left behind.

I felt like I had been winded. Something new and passionate had been birthed in me. Something I still feel to this very day! We did go on to have 3 beautiful children and not a day went by that I forgot about that staircase.

God was asking me to make parenthood a mission field. To not just teach our children about Jesus - but to equip them with the knowledge of who they are in Christ, the power they have access to through the cross, and the ability to walk against the crowd. I knew I wanted them to see answered prayer, miracles and light overcoming darkness. In short, I longed for them to encounter the full reality of who Jesus is and what we have, because of Him. This would take intention, loads of prayer and an “all in” attitude toward directing them toward eternity. Just like a mission field. I am so thankful for a merciful God that partnered with us and guided me through all my mistakes and fears.

Before I go any further, please understand that I am not saying that as a parent you should not be in full time ministry. It's a balance for sure. We didn’t ever want our children to see us as just Sunday pew sitters. It has always been important to commit to whatever serving roles would allow us to make God’s love known. We did this throughout all of our parenting years - we were just very intentional about making sure that the 3 little people that God had entrusted into our care, were a part of each ministry and grasped the significance of it - and were not sacrificed along the way.