This blog has been a great diffuser for my soul. But I confess, I have become quite indulgent.

I have written out my understanding of theology, the applications of faith, and my emotional battles that I cannot seem to express in any other way. However this forum has not yet accomplished the purpose for which it is written, indeed, I have found myself distracted from the task in almost every entry.

This, my dear reader, is my attempt to course correct the ministry that God has so graciously entrusted.

I am a woman. An older woman now it seems. The grandchild that lay in my daughters arms as well as the invading grey hairs throughout my lustrous locks reminds me daily. My time, it seems, is racing forward at an alarming speed.

My grandmother, God bless her soul, used to tell me often that I should pay more attention to what was in front of me right now. She was right.  Even as I ponder this last year, I am amazed at the moments I bulldozed right through, not aware of the precious opportunities I passed up, or passed by without notice.

Although I have no idea who may be reading this, I feel I have neglected my obligation to those of you who do…

 So here’s me trying to capture the value of this moment. To saver and respond to what I know to be true…

As a woman, especially as an older woman, my priority is to love my husband, (and to agree with God on what that really means) to love my children, (and grandchildren) in the way that glorifies God. To be effective and influential as a homemaker, hospitable as a neighbor and friend. and do this without grumbling and with a quiet and gentle spirit!  (Titus 2:3-5, 1Peter 3:1-5)

To accomplish this, and then to teach other women to do so, (without forsaking the responsiblity to continue walking it out ourselves,) is the ministry of a godly women. 

So I am taking this moment to stand on this proverbial “wall.” I am sounding a trumpet. This is a call to battle and a shout of warning to those who do not heed. I cry out to those women who will listen. I beseech them not to listen to my voice…but to listen to the One who has already called out to them by name.

My sisters,

Does it not grieve your soul to know that the “world” has devalued the sanctity of human life, and degraded the importance of the family unit into a ridiculed satire on sitcom television?

Then why do you still choose to listen to the world to teach you what it is to be a woman? What you should eat, what you should wear, what you should buy and where you should live? This consumerism and marketing mindset has so permeated the churches, that even here it seems no different than a comfortable suburban country club to which we hand over the teaching of our children, the expectation of our value and worth, as well as our expectation on the “safe, and positive” entertainment for which we seem so hungry for.

My Sisters, this ought not be so!

I am not advocating political activism, deeper social awareness, or even cultural change. The Word of God tells us these things must take place before the return of our Lord. But there are things that are our responsibility. They are clear and understandable to the yielded and submitted heart. We are to be about our Father’s business…not business as usual according to our culture…even the culture of “church.”

Living in the presence of the Lord is an eternal mindset that is not subject to the surrounding culture. In fact, when we are confident and obedient to the indwelling Holy Spirit, our lives should have an impact on everything around us. This is true for every nation, in every age throughout all time.

Every “ministry” can be distorted by flesh and maintained by selfish ambition. One way to avoid deception in this area is to understand what ministry is from God’s perspective.

The home and family is God’s ordained epicenter. The church was intended to be a corporate gathering of individuals who believed God’s Word, and had become a part of His family. Because of this,they took seriously the relational responsibility that they had with one another. They understood the priority of walking in faith by representing true ministry in their homes first…and then they could bring the reality of their testimony to equip and encourage others from the wisdom of seeing God display His transformation power in the family unit, (even in all of it’s challenges and daily needs). This was in fact the criteria for choosing leadership within that church structure…only those who could walk out the principles of faith in their homes with a good reputation, were considered worthy then to deal with the issues of the household of faith.

If the church is ever to represent God rightly…it must become a better accountability to the truth of God’s heart and purpose for the family.

I call out to you, my sisters in Christ. Go silently to your prayer closets. Read Titus and Timothy. Know that although we consider these to be the doctrine of the churches, they expound upon the heart of the family. May you see your role as both powerful and influential as a godly woman in the home.

In the next entry, we will open up the Titus verses concerning us as women. My hope is that we will be able to disengage ourselves from everything that would distract us from living a life that pleases God.

The world statistics concerning healthy family relationships are deplorable…unfortunately the statistics for families within the church culture often fair no better. But I have better hopes concerning you! Take God at His word and watch your home and family become the epicenter within your world of His redeeming grace!

May it be So!

Walking alongside

Laura