Social Responsibility

Hone Your Passion and Find Your Purpose

Long before becoming a mother I had a passion for justice, a heart for the poor, and a desire to see the Church infused with identity and purpose and holy ambition. But after becoming a mom I discovered an avenue to hone some of those passions with a bit more purpose and intention.

We were approaching Mothers Day 2011 and my husband was in Papua New Guinea (PNG) on outreach, while I stayed home with our one-year-old son. I was pregnant with our second son, exhausted, overwhelmed, and lonely. While counting down the days until Ryan returned, I felt incredibly sorry for myself that I wouldn’t get breakfast in bed or a cute hand-made card that year.

I was new to the mom gig and in need of as much encouragement and validation as I could get. (Understandable, right?) But somehow in my mind this translated into a sense of entitlement. (Yikes, that’s never a good thing.)

As I poured out my woes to Jesus from the bottom of my well of self-pity, He reminded me of a shocking statistic that I had recently learned:

1 in 7 women in rural Papua New Guinea die in childbirth.

I thought about the women from the areas where Ryan and our team was working and it didn’t take me long to be jolted out of my selfishness. Surely these women weren’t as self-absorbed as me, lamenting that Mothers Day would come and go without fresh flowers on my table and a sparkly clean kitchen.

Instead these women were hoping and praying and crying out to God that they, their sisters, their friends, their daughters, and their babies would survive childbirth.

Purpose is born out of revelation and passion

Out of that season of revelation was born a new passion for maternal health in the developing world. The more I began to understand the needs and opportunities, the more convicted I became that these precious women need a voice.

And why couldn’t I lend mine? I thought.

Through a few little campaigns on my personal blog during the last two Mothers Days, the girls and I have been able to raise thousands of clean birth kits to help the women of rural PNG give birth safely. The birth kits are only part of the solution, but they are a critical part, especially for women like Bokoro – a woman who’s birth I attended during my last trip to PNG. (Would you believe that she gave birth in ankle-deep mud? And that this is not at all uncommon in villages like hers?)

But more than just rallying some clean birth kits, this whole thing amplified a drive within me to not only see the needs of these dear mamas being met, but also to see women around the world find purpose and passion as they reach across borders to help one another.

Now you have to understand, I don’t have a big name blog with a massive following… and I also don’t have “expertise” in this whole area of maternal health. But I didn’t let that stop me. I used what I had at my fingertips and let God carry it forward.

A few rocks can make all the difference

Little shepherd-boy-future-king David did that too. When he faced Goliath all the odds were stacked against him. Yes, he had some experience fighting beasts in the field, but he certainly didn’t have any actual battle experience.

What he did have was a faith in God, a conviction for what needed to be done, and a few little rocks in his pocket.

And that’s exactly what you and I need to ask ourselves – what are the rocks already in our pockets?

For me, some of the rocks in my pocket were my connection with PNG through our family’s work with YWAM, my little blog and some wonderfully faithful and compassionate readers, the unlimited power of social media, and a firm conviction that if a few of us banded together we could make an impact into a specific area of need.

That first year my hope was to rally 300 birth kits by the end of the year. A few days later that goal had been obliterated, and by the end of the month we had collected about 2000 kits.

Last year our figure hovered somewhere close to 10,000.

Since then we’ve taken on a few more projects to address needs of maternal (and infant) health in PNG, and together we’re making a tangible impact on the area.

The best part? All of these initiatives are fuelled by regular women across the globe (connected online!) who are knitted together by our willingness to identify with moms who are less-resourced than we are.

God has a plan for you

I’m telling you this, friends, because you have to understand that God has a way of weaving together our passions and talents and resources in ways that we would have never thought to consider. He helps us find our niche, yes, but in doing so he also wants to help others find theirs and address the needs of the world. He works simultaneously on all of these levels to see his dreams realized.

How do we find it?

I believe we can take some cues from David:

Look in your pocket.
Identify your rocks.
Present them to God with the intention of sharing them with the world.

I know it sounds simple, but that’s the whole point. It is simple. Everything we have has been given to us in order that we might share it with others.

Nothing is wasted in the heart of God. He just doesn’t work that way.

Every experience we’ve had, season we’ve walked through, interest that’s developed, gift that’s been bestowed, personality trait we possess, dream on our heart – it’s all for something.

There’s a lot of need out there, friends. But for every need there is more than enough resource and gift and hope and creativity within the Body of Christ to address it (and then some).

So here’s my challenge to you:

Identify your rocks. Present them to the Lord. Ask Him to show you an opportunity (which is often a need that you can already see around you!). And then try something – lean into God as you step out in faith… and throw those rocks!

Remember David as he set out with a few rocks in his pocket. We all know the end of the story. And it’s good friends. It’s really, really good.

Friends, does your life have purpose and passion or are you in need of fresh perspective in this area? If so, I encourage you to ask yourself today, “what are my rocks? what’s already in my hand?” and then spend some time with the Lord – the author of your story – asking Him which direction you’re meant to throw them.

Adriel Booker

Adriel Booker is a writer, speaker, and difference-maker living Down Under with her love (and two littles) where they serve in full-time ministry and full-time parenting together. She writes at The Mommyhood Memos, where she's passionate about encouraging and empowering women.

Before You Cast Your Vote

By Jessica Wolstenholm 6 Comments

I have avoided writing an election-oriented post like the plague.

I hate politics.

There, I said it. I loathe the clawing and climbing to get ahead, the plastic smiles and condescending grins. On every side of the table there is dishonesty and smoke being blown so strong it just might choke the entire country.

But it’s not just politics in government that I despise. I can’t handle politics in business, life or relationships either.

Why can’t we all just get along? Agree to disagree? Live life with quiet conviction?

My hope is that by the end of this post you’ll still have no idea who I voted for this year {Yes, I voted early. I’m so patriotic}. Frankly, it’s none of your bees wax who I hope is elected to office this month. You knowing who I want for president will not change who you want and ultimately who actually gets elected. Sure, there are those that still believe if they can change the minds of those around them they can win this thing. But our government does not operate that way. Even if you converted each one of your 752 Facebook friends with your latest political someecard, it wouldn’t make a dent in the cause for your candidate. So how then shall we live in this season of politics?

Jenevieve shared a wonderful post the other day about what she hopes to teach her kids about politics with several scriptures highlighting what the Bible has to say on the subject. At the end of her post she asked, “What do you want to teach your children about politics?” And my answer was this – I want to teach my children (as I learn myself) to allow their life to speak louder than their mouth. I want to teach them to fiercely but quietly hold on to their convictions. . .to know what they believe and why they believe it but not feel as though they need to vocalize those beliefs at every turn. And then, to trust the God of the universe. With everything.

At some point in our society (perhaps it was with the invention of social media, perhaps with the invention of the church) we came to believe that we had to desperately try to convert every person in our path to our belief system. While I believe in the great commission, I think we’re going about it all wrong. No one can argue the fact that Jesus was a man of true conviction (after all, he is the way, the truth and the life) but most of the time, his life quietly spoke what he believed. When encountered with a question that begged debate, he – more often than not – spoke gently but firmly. Since he is the truth, I believe he is the best example of how to deliver the truth.

Think about it with me for a moment. Our best example of how to deliver the truth comes from Christ, who was and is the truth. Yet we think we, in all our humanity, know so well what is right for our country that we shout it with sure confidence. The fact is. . .I voted for the man I felt in my gut was the best man for the job. I used my limited knowledge and understanding, along with Holy Spirit leading to come to that decision. My fellow, God-fearing friend used the same process to make his determination but guess what? He’s voting for the other guy. What the what?!?!

Tomorrow is sure to be a day full of heated news reports and water-cooler discussions. Let’s choose to allow our peace-filled spirit to speak louder than our words to encourage the world that HE’s got this. He knows now who will win the presidency less than 48 hours from now – and he’s known since the beginning of time. {Romans 13:1} The outcome may not be what we think is best. . .it may not even be what God knows would be best. But he places all rulers and leaders into authority so he must have a purpose. Let’s vote based on the conviction of our heart and leave the rest to him.

I love this quote from St. Francis of Assisi. I think it applies in both politics and life.

Preach the gospel always. When necessary, use words. St. Francis of Assisi

This is what I want my life to be about. Because there’s always more to the story than is being told with our words.

Take a moment to stop before you cast your vote. What has your political position said about you, even without uttering a word? Could your cause be more effective if you walked through life with quiet conviction, allowing your actions and your spirit rather than your mouth to express your passions?

{Photo via Creative Commons}

Jessica Wolstenholm

Jessica Wolstenholm is co-founder of Grace for Moms. She is passionate about writing words of grace for moms and moms-to-be. Co-author of The Pregnancy Companion book, she also blogs about TTC, infertility & pregnancy at ThePregnancyCompanion.com

Moving Our Kids Beyond ‘Me First’

By Jenevieve Wardell 1 Comment

My great grandfather used to say that we spend the first two years of children’s lives serving them and the rest of their lives encouraging them to serve others. We give them everything during the first several months of their lives and then spend what feels like eternity, or at least for me lately, teaching them that life is no longer only about them.

I have always known that being a Christian is counter-cultural. Christianity goes against most of what popular culture “preaches.” For example, the Bible tells us things like–to truly live with Christ we must die to ourselves, and it is better to be last then first. Christianity tells us to be generous with what we have, even when it is not much and to love and pray for people even when they mistreat us.

Of all the Bible’s commands, Jesus said the two greatest come from Matthew 22:37-39: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And, love your neighbor as yourself.” What I am learning in trying to teach my four year old these two commandments and especially the idea of loving others as we love ourselves, is that having a servant’s heart—putting others first—may be one of the most counter-cultural concepts of our time. So many things in our culture revolve around self-love and self-promotion—being the most attractive, the wealthiest, the most successful, etc. Or, in the vernacular of my four year old—being the first, the best, the biggest and getting the most of whatever is being handed out.

This striving to be first in everything is a new thing for him and something I struggle daily to temper because I don’t want it to become something negative in his life. I want him to be outgoing, successful and a self-starter, but not if it is to another’s detriment. I know that young children are naturally egocentric, but as he matures I want to show my son how to value things like selflessness, turning the other cheek and unconditional love, without betraying his own rights and feelings or becoming a “doormat.”

So how do we plant the seeds of a servant’s heart in our children? How do we drown out the deafening “me first culture” and show them the beauty and fulfillment that comes from loving others well—like Jesus did—often when it is inconvenient and sometimes until it hurts. I am still figuring this one out, but there are a few things I am trying so far.

First, I quote scripture to my son that talks about servanthood and have him memorize it—verses like Mark 9:35: “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Next, I do what I like to call “narrating life.” If my son or anyone nearby is demonstrating loving others as we love ourselves—in any way—I point it out to him. For example, I may say, “Isaac, look at how that girl let her friend go first on the slide.”

Thirdly, I constantly remind my son of all Jesus did for us. I tell him that Jesus had the best of everything and left it to come to earth and die on the cross for us.

Finally, I try to serve the people around me as much as I can and let my children “watch” and serve with me when possible. This also involves narration—saying things like, “We are buying these school supplies for children who do not have any.”

My great grandfather embodied the two greatest commandments better than most. He was a pastor, missionary and amazing husband and father. He always talked about spiritual things and quoted the Bible, but more than that he poured out his life as a living sacrifice to those around him. He helped the poor, the hungry and those in prison. He was always there for his family members and loved ones and gave generously of his time, money and energy. My grandfather even loved those who mistreated him. He lived Romans 12:1, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” This, more than anything, showed me what it meant to live a life devoted to the most sacred commandments of loving God and loving others. I have come to realize that, for me, what I do is more important than what I say. That my children are watching to see what my heart values and the main evidence of this is how I spend my time. I fall short so many days in trying to be a good example, but I am trying.

How about you? How are you teaching your child to have servant’s heart? Is there someone in your life that loves/loved God and others well? If so, what can you learn from him/her?

Jenevieve Wardell

Jenevieve lives in Charlotte with her husband Randy and two children, Isaac and Hope. She is a licensed mental health counselor who practiced for five years, and now writes for a monthly psychotherapy blog. She is currently a stay-at-home mom who is learning to embrace grace in a whole new way.

Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Motherhood, Social Responsibility Tagged With: Bible Study, Bible Teaching, Encouragement, Expectations, Faith, Family, Generosity, Giving, Intentionality, Kids, Motherhood, Parenting

A Boy, A Ball and His God

By Elisabeth Corcoran 2 Comments

I have a great son.

Jack’s your typical teenager. He loves basketball, isn’t a big fan of school, and likes to hang out with his friends. He also loves God. A couple years ago, a few things converged in my son’s life. He and I read Take Your Best Shot: Do Something Bigger Than Yourself by then-nine-year-old Austin Gutwein, the story of a boy who decided he didn’t want to wait until he was all grown up to do something big for God. Then, for homework, Jack began reading Just Like Jesus
by Max Lucado and it needled both of us, albeit in very different ways. One of the readings was Mr. Lucado’s take on what the leper who was healed by Jesus must’ve felt. Jack said that it reminded him of being at Feed My Starving Children one day when he had gone for a packing session with some friends.

Feed My Starving Children is one of our family’s favorite organizations. It’s volunteer driven and we have done several food-packing sessions with our church, where we’ve had the privilege of packing meals for children in third-world countries.

Jack said, “Did you know that for only ten dollars, you could feed two children for a month?”

“I didn’t know that, bud…that’s amazing,” I said.

And then I could tell his mind was going. We’d been kicking around the idea for months of ways he could use basketball to raise money for Africa, like Austin Gutwein did, and these books and that day’s packing session all came together for him.

So I prayed with him before putting him to bed and asked Jesus that if he thought this was a good idea,would he help us be creative and make it happen.

When I stopped praying, Jack said, “I think I know how we’re supposed to do this.” I grabbed a notebook and took down his thoughts. We would email our family and friends and ask them to sponsor Jack per basket. He would shoot as many baskets as he could, from the free-throw line, in one hour. It was a great idea. I pointed out that the Holy Spirit had just told him what we should do. I gave him a kiss and told him we’d work on it the next day.

He came and got me a few minutes later to show me something. He pointed out that when the light hit the wall across from his bed, the shadows looked like letters. He told me he was asking God to help him see what it said in case it were a message, and before he could tell me, I saw it, “B A L L.”

“I think it says ‘B A L L’,” Jack said.

Now, it wasn’t like the handwriting on the wall with Daniel or anything, but it was clear enough that I teared up. “Jesus must be trying to encourage you, hon,” I said.

“I’ve never had him do that for me before,” Jack said with a smile.

“Jesus is cool that way, baby,” I said as I walked back out, with my own big smile.

Jack came back out a couple minutes later. “I think it maybe also says ‘F A I L’,” he said, looking dejected.

“Jack, which word do you think Jesus would be saying to you right now — BALL or FAIL?”

“BALL,” he answered.

“Then we’re going with that,” I said reassuring him.

So many rich lessons here.

1. God can speak to us at any time and in any way.

2. Never discount what God wants to do through a child.

3. Always acknowledge a God-thing…I think he loves it when we give him credit.

4. Encouraging our children’s very personal walk with God will build their faith and our own.

5. And for heaven’s sake…when the writing on the wall is positive, assume it’s from Jesus.

Jack went on to raise about $5500 over two summers, which adds up to over 25,000 meals for hungry children all over the world, and he plans to do it again, today.

That’s my boy.

{Jack is conducting another basketball drive for FMSC TODAY! If you should feel led to give towards this cause, please email me at elisabethkcorcoran{at}gmail{dot}com}

How have your children seen or heard God speak to them? How can you encourage your children to listen to what he is saying?

{Hoop photo used via Creative Commons}

Elisabeth Corcoran

Elisabeth is mom to two teenagers. She is the author of several books including, In Search of Calm: Renewal for a Mother’s Heart and Calm in My Chaos: Encouragement for a Mom’s Weary Soul. Learn more about Elisabeth at www.elisabethcorcoran.com.