Eight years ago, the Lord called my husband and me into family ministry.  I remember vividly the excitement and anticipation I felt with the endless possibilities of where the Lord would lead us.  Since that time, ministry has taken on several varied roles, some of which looked nothing remotely like what I had envisioned doing for the Lord.

A few years after we started working in family ministry, I was asked to take a ministry position that I honestly wasn’t feeling.  Children’s ministry was not where I thrived!  Realistically, I knew with this new ministry I would not be able to devote as much time to the family ministry.  After much prayer, I believed I needed to obey the Lord and serve in this ministry. By accepting the position of children’s minister at my local church, the family ministry had to be placed on the back burner.  It just sat there, catching my eye as my other ministry obligations were consuming my time.  While my work with children’s ministry was important for the Kingdom of the Lord, it still broke my heart to not be working in the area I felt the Lord had called me.

It was hard. Let’s just be honest, following the Lord when you can’t see where He is leading you is like stepping off a high porch without looking to see just how far down the next step is.  I reached a point that I ask, “God, have you forgotten about me?  I thought we had a plan.”

I had to learn the difference between my ideal visions of ministry and the reality of living a life of servanthood.  I struggled between my call from the Lord to family ministry and ministering in the moment God had placed me.

The words found in Isaiah 55:8-9 ran through my head often.

“ ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,’ says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

The Lord reminded me that I was right where he wanted me.  He plan just looked a lot different than what I had envisioned previously.  Knowing that I was still following the Lord’s plan, it changed my perspective and my heart.  Serving the Lord in some of the least appealing ways suddenly filled my heart with joy!  As my heart began to change toward serving Him, I began seeing God in a fresh new way.

By serving in a way that I had never considered, the Lord used that time to teach and prepare me for future ministry. He also opened up new and exciting doors for my husband and me to serve in family ministry.

Is your heart’s desire is to do more, but life seems to be taking you in a different direction?  Whether you’re a mom with little ones and just don’t have the time or energy to serve outside the home, or your children are grown but your life consists of scheduling doctor’s appointments and prescription refills as you care for your aging parents, God has a plan and purpose for your life.  Ask where He wants you.  Then serve the Lord with joy as you obey.  You may just find you are already exactly where you are supposed to be.

Be encouraged, sweet mama, the Lord hasn’t forgotten you or your heart. He most likely is preparing you for where your heart is heaviest.