Your Children, Your Business, Your Mission: How God Uses It All
In our fast-paced world of entrepreneurship and motherhood, it's incredibly easy to fall into the trap of "someday thinking." We tell ourselves that we'll be more intentional with our faith, our families, or our businesses once we hit the next milestone, make more money, or when the kids are older. But as I've been personally convicted lately, this mindset directly contradicts what Jesus teaches us in John 4:35, where He tells His disciples, "Wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest."
This powerful command from Jesus wasn't just for His disciples then – it's for us now, particularly as mothers running businesses while raising our families. The truth is, we don't need to wait for a better season to be on mission for God. He has strategically positioned us exactly where we need to be right now, with the precise platform, influence, and relationships that He intends us to steward. Our children, our customers, our online communities – these are the harvest fields that God has entrusted specifically to us in this season.
When we consider our children, we must recognize them as our first disciples. This responsibility is immense and sacred. Research consistently shows that children typically adopt the beliefs they hear first, making it crucial that they receive foundational truth about Jesus from us rather than from the world. This doesn't require formal Bible studies or perfectly executed family devotionals. Rather, discipleship happens naturally through our tone, our presence, and our priorities. When we pray with our children throughout the day – before meals, at bedtime, in the car when we see an ambulance – we're teaching them that God is accessible at all times. When we're fully present instead of distracted, we demonstrate that they are valued and worthy of attention, reflecting how God sees them.
Similarly, our businesses aren't separate from our mission – they're vehicles for gospel impact. Even if you're not explicitly a ministry, everything from your customer service to your marketing content carries your testimony. Like Chick-fil-A, which doesn't preach while serving chicken sandwiches but clearly operates from Christian values, your business ethic speaks volumes. The way you handle conflicts, treat difficult customers, or maintain integrity in your offerings all communicate something about the God you serve. Your audience, clients, and the content you create constitute a unique mission field that God has specifically entrusted to you.
The distraction of discontentment can severely undermine our mission focus. When we're constantly thinking, "If only I had a different house, more income, or better-behaved children," we miss the blessings right in front of us. Practicing gratitude is a powerful antidote – it's nearly impossible to be both grateful and discontent simultaneously. By thanking God daily for what we have rather than fixating on what we lack, we position ourselves to be present and spirit-led in each moment. This mindset shift from "someday" to "today" is transformational for both our parenting and our businesses.
