The message never came and I began to feel discouraged and disheartened. Then one day, as I went about my regular daily routine of caring for my children (young kids at that time), a moment of realization hit me like a ton of bricks...the care and raising up of my children into independent, grounded, confident, considerate, socially responsible, giving and loving individuals is my clear, unmistakable and number one mission from God. This change in perspective has since become the foundation upon which I base my priorities and choices in life.
We can view each and every child that we send out to the world as our very own direct impact on that world. In light of this, I invite each and every parent to reflect on their current perspective concerning their responsibilities toward every child entrusted to them by God. Parenting is not your regular, common, no-choice-but-to-do task...it is a mission...a God-given mission and all bets are on you (the parent) to come through. By the mere shifting of your perspective, you will definitely turn parenting into a more fulfilling activity for you.
Another change in perspective came to me shortly after that hit-by-bricks moment - the everyday little and humble acts of love and charity that we manage to do for common folk (that we encounter along the way in our life journey), all have the potential to significantly affect the world in a positive way and make it a better place for all. The image of a tiny pebble cast upon a still lake thereby creating a ripple that starts small yet progressively and exponentially gets bigger and bigger as it eventually covers the entire lake is a good illustration of this truth.
That is my number two, clear and unmistakable mission from God. In accepting this perspective, I was at first saddened that I may not even see any of the fruits of my labor since the human nature side of me desired this form of gratification. However, I have learned to overcome this need and desire and get my gratification from my faith that my humble activities are making a difference.
If I did not have any children, then my number two mission would clearly and unmistakably be my first and foremost one. At the end of the day, all missions are equally significant. The distinction I make are applicable only in those very rare (hardly ever, really) situations where I would have to prioritize and make a choice between the two.
I share this with you so that you may reflect on the truth concerning this as it applies in your own life and arrive at your own recognition of your mission.
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