Motherhood has been one of the hardest and most beautiful journeys I have ever been on. I’m a mom of two and they have changed my world in more ways than I can count. Being their mom is one of the greatest gifts in the world. 

With that being said, I don’t know about you but as a mom, there has been this tension that I have felt the longer that I’ve been a parent. My role as mom is so important to me and one of my most important callings.

But there is part of me, outside of being a mom, that has wrestled with my purpose. As moms, it’s easy to let that be our identity. And for obvious reasons. They are our world and we spend so much of our time parenting, guiding, coaching, and loving them! But what does life outside of my kids look like? What do I want it to look like? What does my ministry look like outside of the home? How do I navigate that while still being present and showing up as mom to my kids? 

I know that I’m not the only one who has wrestled with this. I have talked to a lot of my mom friends about these things. My sweet friend Kaye and I had a conversation around the topic of motherhood and your personal ministry.

I asked Kaye a handful of questions to help you be able to find your purpose in motherhood and ministry.

What advice do you have for moms who feel guilty for wanting to pursue something outside of their role as a parent?

Don’t feel guilty! Not for one second. Ask Jesus to show you where He wants to use you and then obey. I think we do have to examine our hearts and make sure that we aren’t pursuing something to make us feel good and important because ultimately it will not fulfill. If we are looking for something to give us confidence and security that is other than Jesus He will not allow that because he loves us too much. He will blow up places of security that aren’t Him!

Are there any strategies that you have found to be helpful in managing your time between your family and your personal ministry time?

Family is always first, 100% of the time! My strategy is to know that I Have the right to say NO. It took me a long time to learn this. I love to do ministry with my children and I feel like Jesus has been so kind to give me these opportunities. When I feel like he is calling me to something I always think about my family. I know Jesus isn’t going to call me to something that will cause me to neglect my family. If I’m doing that then I may be finding my security in that ministry – making it a ‘god’ and that’s never what He wants.

How do you navigate the seasons when motherhood feels overwhelming and it’s hard to focus on anything else?

Make your kids go to bed early! Play with them and let them get dirty and make messes but bedtime is so important and allows me to sleep and also still manage a marriage.

What does it mean to you to walk confidently as a mom and to walk confidently in your roles in the community?

If my confidence is coming from any accolades about ME then it will not last. My confidence can only come from Jesus and I Have to remind myself of this over and over. When I am confident in who I am in Him, I enjoy all the roles He has given me so much more.

What advice would you give to moms who are just starting to explore ministry or purpose outside the home?

Know that no ministry will “complete you”, only Jesus will. I think it’s awesome to serve your community and I’m so thankful I have been able to have a lot of opportunities to do this. I say ask HIm for opportunities and then obey even if it’s out of your comfort zone.

Wrestling with how to show up well in motherhood and outside in your community can be a struggle but you aren’t alone and there are many ways to help you navigate this.

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