The Risky Business of Doing Ministry as a Weary Mom

It was eight in the morning. I ran back and forth from the house to the minivan at least five times juggling bagels, juice, my Bible, and two kids under the age of five. I was also experiencing a lovely case of morning sickness because baby girl number three was doing her level best not to be outdone by her sisters. I shut the van door put my head on the steering wheel and begged God for lighter than normal traffic on I-4. Who was I kidding? It was Monday.

What I was doing was crazy and risky. I had agreed to co-lead a three-year discipleship group for twelve other women. We were weary moms in need of a whole lot of Jesus and deep community. I said yes, but so had they. Come to think of it, this was crazy and risky for them too. What was God thinking when he planned this for us? Surely he knew how hard Mondays would be and how we would have to move heaven and earth to get there on time with our twenty-five kids. Did I mention it was three years worth of Mondays?

But he did know what he was doing. Our hearts connected around a table in my favorite way—through God’s Word. We shared our stories. We dug deep in truth. We experienced every joy and the hardest tragedies. Fellowship had never been so sweet as it was in this clump of women.

Do you know the game Clump? It is like hide and go seek, except one person is doing the hiding and everyone else is searching. When a seeker finds the one hiding she joins her. In the end, you are all together in one big clump.

For years I hid weary and worn because I was convinced other moms were in their kitchens without dirty floors and raising perfectly behaved children. I claimed the title of fine because I thought I had to for others to like me. I was wrong. Sitting at this table clumping with these twelve other women showed me a different way was possible.

I learned that the risky business of doing ministry as a weary mom to other weary moms needs to start with Jesus and include living honestly. Each one of these women brought her personal story. Somehow, every week another woman at the table always had a way of complimenting it. Time and again they pointed each other to Jesus.

“And when two or three of you are together because of me,
you can be sure that I’ll be there.”
Matthew 18:20, The Message

It is a beautiful picture of hope when weary moms gather because of Jesus. What we really need is a work only he can do in our lives. But, he made us to dwell in community. When this happens at the same time the result is a work of art created by the master’s hand. And it is truly something to behold.

Meet our guest Author Stacey Thacker

Stacey Thacker is a wife and the mother of four vibrant girls. She is a writer and speaker who loves God’s Word. Her passion is to connect with women and encourage them in their walks with God. You can find her blogging at  staceythacker.com and hanging out on Twitter or Instagram @staceythacker.

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Check out Stacey and Brooke's BRAND NEW Book!

Hope for the Weary Mom: Let God Meet You In The Mess is available wherever books are sold. Be sure to keep your receipt so you can enter our amazing giveaways on launch day (2/3/15)! Find out more at staceythacker.com. 

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