Are you my Mother?
Do you remember the old P.D. Eastman book, Are you my mother? The little bird falls out of her nest and she can’t find her mother. She asks a dog, a cat, a cow, “Are you my mother?” And on down the line until it gets really absurd and she’s asking a mechanic crane, “Are you my mother?” Of course none of those things are her mother and she must keep searching until she eventually does find her mother and all is well.
I feel a bit like that little bird, only I haven’t lost my mother, – I can’t find my ministry. Ministry opportunities abound and I approach each one asking, “Are you my ministry?” My time has not been wasted, I teach English in the afternoons, play with a couple of the neighborhood girls, pray for my team. And I know it is all good, the Lord is bringing me through a process. However, I feel my destiny eludes me.
I wrote this little bedtime story and sent it to Annie not long ago… but it occurs to me that it doesn’t just belong to Annie… it is YOUR story, too… and it goes like this… once upon a time there was a little girl who lived in Guatamala and once day a pretty gringa came to her school to smile at her and dance with her and play with her and love her and then the pretty gringa was gone… but not forgotten for the little girl remembered her every day and she shared the smiles and love in her heart that the gringa left with her with the people around her… and one day she met Jesus and she recognized in Him the love and smiles of the pretty gringa because she’d spent all her life looking for the source of the beauty inside the gringa… and she grew up and loved a man who knew Jesus and together they shared the love and smiles and salvation that Jesus gives with the people in their country… and one day, very, very long after that, at the most wonderful family rethat ever was or ever will be, the little girl stood before the pretty gringa and held her hand and pointed behind her to all the men and women and children whose lives she’d touched and who she’d introduced to Jesus… and she said, look what happened when you went where Jesus sent you… and there you thought you weren’t doing enough…
that’s you, Talia… the pretty gringa who is spreading God’s love just by being there…
Hey girl, love the application of that book, read it all the time when I was younger!
You are earnestly seeking God on this one, I know He will reveal more of your ministry in time, just keep your eyes fixed on Him in the meantime! Praying for you guys!
May the God of all creation, including you and each little bird, assure you that your destiny is being walked out, day by day. May He bring you peace and understanding. -Praying for you and sending much love, MB
Talia,
I’ve got two great verses for you. Not answers, verses. Alas.
Isaiah 30:21 – Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Ps 143:8 – Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Both of these verses (Ps 143:8 in particular) have helped me tremendously.
I pray that God will guide you in the small, day-to-day things that he would have you to do.
mark
if it’s any consolation, there are a lot of days I wake up asking that one too. i like what Jesus said, “I do what I see my father doing.” There’s a present-tense aspect to his ministry. It’s whatever he saw the Father doing that day.
i love reading your blog, babe!
oh how often we ask these questions… i wish i had an answer for you, or an answer for myself… all i can give you is; to continue to serve, continue to love, and continue to be the woman god has called you to be. enjoy even the things that you know you are not called to do forever .. even if it is just knowing it’s not for forever 😉
much love and blessings, casey
Every person you meet, every person you touch and every person you speak to is an example of your ministry. Sometimes we look too hard to find what seems to be so evident to those around us. Talia, you have been an encouragement and inspiration to my daughter and that ministers to me. Thank you.
Hi my Talia,
I absolutely love reading your blog!!! You are so creative! Honey, if you are walking with Jesus, seeking Him, then all you do is ministry no matter how menial or how obvious. What matters is that you are glorifying Him. What a blessing it is to be part of that from this end. Pam H
There is an old hymn that is not sung much in these days of contemporary music, but it has a profound message:
Earthly pleasures vainly call me;
I would be like Jesus;
Nothing worldly shall enthrall me;
I would be like Jesus.
Refrain:
Be like Jesus, this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.
He has broken every fetter,
I would be like Jesus;
That my soul may serve Him better,
I would be like Jesus.
Be like Jesus, this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.
All the way from earth to glory,
I would be like Jesus;
Telling over and over the story,
I would be like Jesus.
Be like Jesus, this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.
That in heaven He may meet me,
I would be like Jesus;
That His words “Well done” may greet me,
I would be like Jesus.
Be like Jesus, this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.
“Being like Jesus” IS A MINISTRY!
hi honey,
i love that pic of you….it makes me miss you…:0(
keep on wrestling through and journaling the journey…. you’ll be surprised at the progress…and it’s God’s pace…lean into the wind….
i love you,
mama
Hey Tal,
Last year sometime, I had a dream. I was in my parents’ kitchen in Chicago, and I was cooking dinner. There was a little English boy there. He was watching me cook dinner, and then all of the sudden I was praying with him to receive Christ.
When I woke up in the morning, I just thought it was a strange dream and attributed it to living overseas in a strange culture and being overtired. I happened to share it with my co-leader at the time, and he interpreted it for me.
He said, “It’s simple Hanna. God’s just telling you to live your life and people will come to Christ.”
Huh. As easy as that? Yes.
There’ve been many days since then when I’ve wondered what I’m doing and why. Then I remember, “Just live your life and people will come to Christ.” It’s encouraging.
Maybe it’ll be encouraging to you too. Even though you’re living a pretty extraordinary lifestyle at the moment, all you have to do is LIVE. Your life IS your ministry, pure and simple.
Love you, and I’m praying for you tonight!
Talia,
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Whenever your life brings praise to the Father, you have done ministry. Whenever any aspect of your life points people to God, whether by word or deed, you have done ministry.
Praying for you,
Vickee
Talia, I never looked at that little book from such a perspective. You have been given a purpose from God for your life in Him and thru Him.. Be patient as you are walking toward it. There is a time a season. There are lessons to be taught . Sometime there is a period of silence God wants for and with you as we grow into a closer, maturing relationship with our Father. As your Mom said, always ” Let your light shine” and draw ever closer to your loving, heavenly Father. He will accomplish in you His divine plan for you, Just keep drawing near to Him with an openly willing heart and you will be filled and used of God He is building warriors Race on with God’s armor and Love. Wait on the Lord with prayer and thankgiving. You are precious to Him.
Talia,
First, I am amazed and inspired by what you are doing. Every part of me wishes I could join this journey around the world… maybe one day. But I think you should know that God is using you right now. You may feel that your destiny eludes you, but God sees that everyday you are three steps closer to reaching it. You are a blessing to everyone who reads your words, strangers and friends alike. I pray that God gives you wisdom in this area, comfort, and encouragement. Keep changing lives!
Valentina
Talia, there is no god. But do not despair. Believe in yourself and watch what happens.
Tal,
I was right where you are, only a couple of months ago. The difference is I was in India for 14 days and you are on a trip for a year. Be encouraged because the Lord is perfecting himself in you. And it excites me to see you questioning. Because that means that your heart is all about our Heavenly Father’s purpose: First and foremost to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and Secondly to love others! You are doing ministry and it’s beautiful!
Honey, you are precious. Bloom (in the Lord) where you are planted. A new concept to me, for my new ministry in now in Kentucky. Simply seek Him and all these things will be added to you. Take extra time in reading the Word and singing praises. Love and miss ya babe!
I remember that story! Good blog; I’m a little late at adding to the encouragements, but maybe it’s time to be, and not just do.
Hey Sissy!
I miss you so much, I am sad to not have seen you in what seems like forever, but I love reading on how you are doing. I loved what you wrote on your blog. I remember laughing so hard at the part when the bird thought his mother could be the crane, but then decided “No, you are not my mother, you are a SNORT.” May you laugh and rejoice in the days that have passed and laugh for the days to come (Prov.31) I love you to death!