Redirected...

I was a children's pastor for seven years. OK, so some say I was just a "children's director" because I didn't have any formal credentials saying I was a "pastor". Whatever. I did WAY more than just oversee and direct a children's ministry. I was in the trenches shepherding children's hearts! Day in and day out, Sunday after Sunday, I was doing the work of ministry. And it was important stuff!

I remember the day when God redirected my life and called me into children's ministry. It was scary and exciting all at the same time. Things began to happen, and God began to move, and I knew I was right where I was supposed to be.

I spent years working with mentors, reading quite a few children's ministry and leadership books, and trying to be faithful to the calling God had placed on my life. I was doing my darndest to learn everything I could, so I could do the best job possible. God deserved my very best, and I was determined to give it. I never had a church office, so my work came home with me - every single minute of every single day. My thoughts were consumed with the next weeks of lessons, the upcoming big event, the workers I was overseeing. My counter and table were littered with ministry stuff ALL THE TIME! I stayed crazy mad busy for Jesus! It became all consuming, and every part of my life revolved around ministry.

And then, just as quickly as God called me into ministry, I remember the day He said I was to step out. And it was scary and exciting all at the same time. And it was sad and confusing. God had used me for so many years to lead His children, and now I was done? So much work! So much sacrifice to learn and do and be more! So much neglect of my kids and my husband and my house, so that I could do more for Jesus! How in the world could this be IT??

But as the weeks went on, and as God spoke tenderly to my heart, and as I now had actual TIME and QUIET to hear Him, He began to show me some things. He showed me that my work in children's ministry was done, at least for now. He helped me to see how I had become so caught up in the "good work of ministry" that I had pushed my family aside. He showed me that there was more to life than just church. And He helped me to have peace in my heart to let it go.

So my life was redirected. It was confusing. And scary. And pretty sad, too, I must say. But I'm learning to be happy in the every day stuff of life. I'm learning to go at a much slower pace and savor every moment. I'm redirecting my attention to spend the time I do have with my husband and my four kids. And I am finding contentment in every part of my life.


A few big things I have learned through this:

1. I don't have to have a big children's ministry to lead to be important. It's OK to just be mom to four kids. No, the world will not praise you for doing that, but it is great and noble work and God is very pleased with it!

2. I don't need to lead a team of volunteers to feel that I am making a difference. It's OK to just be a wife and to minister to and serve my husband every day. No it's not flashy, and it often looks like keeping the house clean and cooking a good, hot meal for him after he's worked all day. But it's important. And supporting my spouse while he works to take care of us is a huge thing! And when I do it with a cheerful heart, God is pleased.

3. I don't have to be on a stage or leading a group of people to be really living out my calling. My calling is being obedient to God in each thing He calls me to do each day in my home. It's not so much the "big picture" or that thing way off in the future that is our calling, but the day in and day out obedience and faithfulness with what we have been entrusted by God right where we are.

4. I don't need praise or affirmation from people. I don't need to do more, work harder, go faster, plan bigger so that people are happy with me. I need to look to God to affirm what I do each day. And if I am seeking to please Him in my own little corner of the earth, that is really all that matters.

5. It is OK for me to slow down in life. I don't have to live at a break-neck pace thinking that there is so much to do and so little time! I can enjoy cooking with my kids and reading a book that I love. I can spend an evening on the couch with my husband doing absolutely nothing and enjoying every minute of it! I can relax and take my time in everything I do without feeling like I'm going to let someone down because I'm not going fast enough. I can have an actual HOBBY!!

6. God knows the talents and skills He has put inside of me. If He ever has need of me to use them in another more public setting again in the future, He will show me. He will not forget the things He has taught me. And for today, He expects me to use those talents and skills to run a household and manage school for four kids. And THAT, my friends, is a huge job!

We don't always understand why God redirects our lives. But when He does, it is always for the better.

Has there been a point in your life where you've seen God turn you around? How has your life changed since that time? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!