A Mission Statement Worth Writing

How are you doing? We are now in the sixth day of school, and I imagine several things have gone
according to plan, and some have not. You expected it would be hard for your toddler to leave you, but then it wasn't! A pleasant, unexpected outcome! Or you anticipated morning routines going more
smoothly with the structure of school-life, but time parameters have caused more angst than you had
expected. Did you think you would have more free time, getting ahead of household chores or work-
related tasks only to have those plans foiled? Our lives are full of twists and turns – a reminder that we have truly little control.

Do we ever really have control? No; however, instead of succumbing to frustration because you have asked your child to put on his shoes for the third time, let us prepare our hearts each morning, before our feet hit the ground running. (Stay tuned for a M.M. on breaking bad habits and training our littles for first time obedience.)

I want to offer one idea that can help us put ourselves at the feet of Jesus, focusing our thoughts on Him before things get busy and well, a tad bit crazy. How do we do this? Consider writing a motherhood mission statement and offering it as a prayer each day. How about something like this:

Knowing that motherhood is a high and holy calling –

Today, I look to Jesus as the source of my strength (Psalm 46:1).
Today, I choose to abide in the Vine, (John 15:5) bearing fruit that will last.
Today, I trust Jesus to give me wisdom for each situation, reminding me that I am rearing a child with an eternal soul (Matthew 25:46). Today, I choose to point my child to Jesus and care for my little lamb(s) as Jesus tenderly cares for me (Isaiah 40:11). Today, I choose to be a conduit of love through which the Holy Spirits flows (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Lord Jesus, bring about my mama’s heartfelt desires in accordance with Your Word. In Jesus’s name.
If you decide to take the mission statement challenge, I would love for you to share yours with me.

Now, back to the idea of our lack of control. We never know what tomorrow may hold for us or our
children – joys or sorrows, but we do know Who holds all things in His sovereign hand. Whenever I am going through challenging times, tempted to doubt God’s goodness and love, I focus on the cross. If the cross is not proof of God’s unconditional, never-ending, magnificent love for you and me, I do not know what is (1 John 4:10). God’s love plays out differently in each life; nonetheless, it is His deep love.

Incredibly and lovingly profound is God’s ‘mission statement’ - His provision of Jesus to redeem a lost world unto Himself. Yes, the Gospel is God’s good news ‘mission statement.’

I encourage you to read the following verses to encourage your mama’s heart:
Isaiah 40:11; Isaiah 40:29 and 31; Isaiah 43: 1-3; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 37: 4-7; Psalm 91:4; Psalm 105:4 Ephesians 3:16-19; Philippians 4:13 and 19; Colossians 2: 6-8; 1 Peter 5:7.

Psalm 90:17 says, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands; yes, establish the work of our hands.” Sweet RDS mama, allow Jesus to establish the work of your hands each day as you parent an eternal soul.

If you would like to reach out to Jeannie, you may email her at jbrostrand@redeemerdayschool.org.